NEW YORK, Apr. 2, 2010 — The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade and the Phoenix Suns’ Amar’e Stoudemire today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors, respectively, for games played during March.

Wade led the Heat to a 12-3 record, averaging 26.9 points and 7.5 assists — both ranked third in the Eastern Conference — and led the East in steals (2.3 spg). Wade recorded six 30-point games and 12 20-point outings, in Miami’s best month since March 2006 (12-3). On March 4, Wade scored 27 points and added a season-high 14 assists in the Heat’s overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Wade had six double-doubles in March, including three straight in wins over Golden State, the L.A. Lakers and Atlanta. Wade was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week twice in March. This is his first NBA Player of the Month Award this season.

Stoudemire averaged 27.3 points (second in the Western Conference) on .577 shooting and added 9.9 rebounds, leading the Suns to a Western Conference-best 12-2 month. Stoudemire lead the Suns in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage and tied for an NBA-best seven 30-point games. On March 19, Stourdemire scored 44 points on 16 field goal attempts, the fewest attempts in a 40-point game since the 2007-08 season (Chris Bosh). Phoenix is currently on a nine-game win streak, the longest active streak in the NBA. This is Stoudemire’s first NBA Player of the Month Award this season.

Here is a closer look at the month for Wade and Stoudemire:

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

March 2 vs. Golden State: Totaled 35 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and four steals in a 110-106 win over the Warriors.

March 4 vs. L.A. Lakers: Scored 27 points, and added 14 assists, five rebounds and one steal in a 114-111 overtime win over the Lakers.

March 6 vs. Atlanta: Recorded 38 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and two steals in a 100-94 win over the Hawks.

March 22 @ New Jersey: Posted 27 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds, one block and two steals in a 99-89 win over the Nets.

Amar’e Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns

March 14 vs. New Orleans: Recorded 36 points and 12 rebounds in a 120-106 win over the Hornets.

March 19 vs. Utah: Poured in 44 points to go along with seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal in a 110-100 win over the Jazz.

March 22 @ Golden State: Tallied 37 points, eight rebounds and two assists in a 133-131 win over the Warriors.

March 28 @ Minnesota: Posted 30 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and one block in a 152-114 win over the Timberwolves.

Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors were Charlotte’s Raymond Felton, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Houston’s Luis Scola, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Orlando’s Dwight Howard and Utah’s Deron Williams.

The Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors are part of a series of on-court performance awards called “The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors.” The series, currently in its third season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and includes four of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Most Valuable Player Award, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man Award, and Most Improved Player. Kia Motors is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA and the all-new Sorento is the league’s Official Vehicle. For more information on the “The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors” visit www.NBA.com/performanceawards.

Source: NBA.com