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Apr 17, 2009 1:36 pm US/Central
Dirk Named NBA Western 'Player Of The Month'
DALLAS (CBS) ―
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Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks posts up against Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat on April 1, 2009 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images
The NBA announced on Friday that Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki has been named the Western Conference 'Player of the Month' for April. This is the fifth time in his career that Nowitzki has earned this honor, but the first time since February 2007.
During the month of April, Nowitzki led the Mavericks to six wins, helping the team clinch the sixth seed in the Western Conference of the NBA Playoffs.
Nowitzki averaged 30.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists during eight starts throughout April, shooting 55.1 percent from the floor, 35.3 percent from three-point range and 87.3 percent from the foul line. He scored 30 points in five outings and recorded two double-doubles.
In the team's regular season finale, Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to a win over the Houston Rockets and the franchise's ninth consecutive 50-win season. The Mavs are only the fourth team in NBA history to reach this mark, behind the San Antonio Spurs, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nowitzki finished the season as the NBA's fourth leading scorer, putting up 20 or more points in the last 25 games. This was the longest streak in the league this season.
"It is important for me to play well at this time of year and I want to play my best basketball when there is something at stake," said 10-year veteran Nowitzki. "We had a lot to play for in April and it is an honor to be named 'Player of the Month' this close to the postseason. We are looking forward to a great playoff run."
The Mavericks face the Spurs in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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