Magic's Howard, Blazers' Aldridge named Players of Month

The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard and the Portland Trail Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played during February.

Howard led the league in field goal percentage (.667) and paced the Eastern Conference in rebounding (14.8 rpg). He also ranked third in the East in both scoring (26.6 ppg) and blocks (2.00 bpg). Howard led the Magic to a 7-4 mark during the month, including a 111-88 win over Oklahoma City Feb. 25, in which the All-Star center recorded 40 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks. Including the game against the Thunder, Howard had three performances in February of at least 30 points and 15 rebounds. Since 2007-08, he has 28 such games, the most in the NBA.

Aldridge helped the Trail Blazers to an 8-4 month by leading the Western Conference with 27.8 ppg -- his highest scoring average in any month this season -- on .563 shooting from the field, to go along with 9.3 rebounds, 1.67 steals and 1.58 blocks. Aldridge opened the month with a 40-point, 11-rebound effort in a 99-86 win over San Antonio Feb. 1. He scored over 30 points five times and posted six point/rebound double-doubles.