The Western Conference survived a final quarter comeback from the Eastern Conference to take the 2012 NBA All Star game 152-149.
Kevin Durant won his first All Star MVP crown, as he led the West with 36 points with Kobe Bryant hitting 27, passing Michael Jordan as the leading scorer in All Star games overall.
Durant’s teammate at Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook scored 21 points off the bench for the West, who win their second straight All Star game.
LeBron James matched Durant’s tally with 36 points, as the Miami Heat forward led the charge in the final period as the East fought back from 21 points down to bring it to within a single point, but they didn’t take advantage.
There were four Europeans taking part in this year’s All Star game, but unfortunately didn’t make the impact they hoped. Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki scored seven points and added four rebounds to his statline for the West. France’s Tony Parker hit six, Spain’s Marc Gasol hit four, as he filled in for the injured Andrew Bynum and Great Britain’s Luol Deng got a single assist in six minutes on court, but was kept on the bench as a precaution as he fell on his injured wrist in the first quarter.
Deng chose to have the South Sudan flag displayed in his honour rather than the Union Jack in the pre-game.
Irving Rises above all and wins it for Team Chuck.
Kyrie Irving scooped MVP honours with 34 points and nine assists, including going a perfect 8-8 from three-pointers as Team Chuck, led by Charles Barkley defeated Team Shaq, led by Shaquille O’Neal 146-133.
Spain international Ricky Rubio brought some highlights to the game for Team Shaq, as did John Wall and Paul George. New York’s Jeremy Lin and Los Angeles Clippers’ forward Blake Griffin made appearances also.
Slam Dunk Champion: Jeremy Evans (Utah Jazz)
Skills Champion: Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs)
Three-Point Champion: Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Shooting Stars Champions: Team New York (Landry Fields, Allan Houston and Cappie Pondexter)
