The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Elton Brand yesterday were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 29.

James averaged 33.8 points on .475 shooting, 8.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.25 steals to lead the Cavaliers to a 4-0 week. James posted 44 points, including 32 in the second half, 11 rebounds and seven assists to help the Cavaliers recover from an 18-point deficit and beat the Suns 113-106 last night. The last player to record at least 44 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in a game was Hakeem Olajuwon on March 23, 1996.

Brand averaged 24.3 points on .549 shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.3 blocks to lead the Clippers to a 4-0 week, extending the team’s winning steak to a season-high five games. Brand, one of four players averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds (Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion), recorded his 25th double-double of the season with 33 points and 10 rebounds in a 105-87 victory over the Nuggets on Jan. 27.

Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Detroit’s Chauncey Billups, Houston’s Tracy McGrady, Miami’s Shaquille O’Neal, Milwaukee’s Michael Redd, Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson and Seattle’s Ray Allen.