Johnson, Paul earn monthly honors

Apr 1, 2008 - 7:16 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson and New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul on Tuesday were named the NBA's Players of the Month for March.

Johnson takes the Eastern Conference honor after leading the Hawks into playoff contention for the first time since 1998-99. He averaged 24.9 points and 7.0 assists in March.

Johnson scored 20-or-more points 12 times - including eight straight games - and 30-plus points on three occasions over the month.

The 6-7 guard scored a season-high 39 points with eight assists, six rebounds and three steals in a 97-94 triumph over the Miami Heat on March 8.

Paul earned the Western Conference honor, leading the Hornets to an 11-4 mark on the month. He averaged 24.0 points, 13.3 assists and 2.67 steals.

Paul collected at least 10 assists in 12 of the Hornets' 15 games and totalled 199 assists during March. Over the last 10 seasons, Steve Nash is the only player to record 200 assists in one month.