Kyle Lowry named Eastern Conference Player of the Week

Raptors star point guard Kyle Lowry has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played between March 14-20. During the stretch, Lowry averaged 27.2 points, 6.8 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game, shooting 47 percent from three-point range in the process.

Over the last week, the Raptors have gone 4-1, besting Eastern Conference rivals like the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers. Lowry elevated his game to drag the Raptors through the mud at times, ranking fourth in the NBA for the week in fourth quarter scoring (10.8 points).

It's not just his scoring averages this week that won him the award. Lowry got hot at the exact moments his team needed him. For example, during the team's clash against the Pacers, he contributed eight of the team's 16 overtime points, pushing the Raptors over the edge.

Lowry is the first Raptor since Chris Bosh during the 2009-10 season to be awarded Player of the Week multiple times in the same season. He also earned the honour for games played between February 22-28.

This is of course nothing new for Lowry, who was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team for the second time this year. All season, he has been a terror for opposing teams on both ends of the court. Lowry leads the NBA with 2.2 steals per game, posting three or more steals in three games last week. On the offensive end, he is averaging 21.9 points, 6.4 assists and 5 rebounds per game - the best totals of his career.

As the playoffs come closer, the Raptors are looking to catch the Cleveland Cavaliers at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The Raps are one game back, and just two games away from breaking the franchise record for wins.

The Raptors can clinch their third straight playoff berth tonight with a loss from either Indiana, the Chicago Bulls or the Detroit Pistons.