Howard averaged 17.1 points on .576 shooting and a league-high 13.6 rebounds while leading the Magic to an Eastern Conference best 12-4 record. His current streak of seven consecutive double-doubles (points-rebounds) began on Nov. 18 when he recorded 24 points and 21 rebounds vs. Charlotte. He has recorded 11 double-doubles on the season, including three 20-point/20-rebounds outings.
Houston’s Yao Ming averaged 25.7 points and 10.1 rebounds while shooting .544 from the field. Yao had a streak of 11 consecutive games of 20-points or more. He led the team in scoring on nine occasions as the Rockets were 8-1 in those contests.
Here is a recap of the month for Howard and Yao:
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Charlotte’s Emeka Okafor, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, Detroit’s Chauncey Billups, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal, the Los Angeles Clippers Sam Cassell, Milwaukee’s Michael Redd, New Jersey’s Jason Kidd, Sacramento's Kevin Martin, Utah’s Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams.