WEST 148, EAST 143, at Staples Center
ATTENDANCE: 17,163
MVP: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
With the All-Star Game at his home stadium, Kobe Bryant made sure the Lakers stayed perfect when it comes to winning the game’s MVP award. Bryant had 37 points — including 21 in the first half — and snared 14 rebounds as the West held off a late charge by the East to win 148-143.
The East, powered by LeBron James, tried to make a game of it several times and cut the West lead to 142-140 with 1:12 to play. But Pau Gasol, who had 17 off the West bench, had a key tip-in of a Bryant miss with 53 seconds left that helped ice the win.
James, appearing in his first All-Star Game as a member of the Heat, had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as he joined Michael Jordan as the only players with an All-Star Game triple-double. Knicks big man Amar’e Stoudemire, in his first All-Star Game as a member of the East, had 29 points and the Heat’s Dwyane Wade chipped in with 14.
In the West, two players made their final appearances on that squad — though neither knew it at the time. Carmelo Anthony, who had eight points, represented the Nuggets, but was traded off to the Knicks a few weeks after the All-Star Game. Jazz guard Deron Williams had five points and seven assists off the bench, but this was his last All-Star Game as a Utah player. He too was traded a few weeks later in a deal that sent him to the New Jersey Nets.
Check out the best moments and highlights from Saturday and Sunday events from NBA All-Star 2011 in Los Angeles!
Although Blake Griffin had just eight points in his All-Star Game debut, he made a monstrous impact at All-Star Weekend. First, he was a key cog in the Rookies’ 148-140 win over the Sophomores at the Rookie Challenge. Wizards rookie John Wall took home MVP honors at the game with his 12-point, 22-assist performance. Griffin also claimed the Slam Dunk Contest title when he dunked the ball over a car off an alley-oop pass thrown by teammate Baron Davis from the automobile’s sunroof.
James Jones of the Heat took home the 3-Point Shootout title, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to do so. At the Skills Challenge, Warriors guard Stephen Curry bested the field to claim the title.
All-Star Game rosters
Eastern Conference
Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
Amar’e Stoudemire (New York Knicks)
LeBron James (Miami Heat)
Chris Bosh (Miami Heat)
Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics)
Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks)
Ray Allen (Boston Celtics)
Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics)
Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics)
Coach: Doc Rivers (Boston Celtics)
Western Conference
Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Deron Williams (Utah Jazz)
Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs)
Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers)
Blake Griffin (LA Clippers)
Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves) **
Yao Ming (Houston Rockets) *
Coach: Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs)
All-Star Weekend Wrap
NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner: Blake Griffin, LA Clippers
NBA 3-Point Shootout winner: James Jones, Miami Heat
NBA Skills Challenge: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Rookie Challenge result: Rookies 148, Sophomores 140
Rookie Challenge MVP: John Wall, Washington Wizards (12 points, 22 assists)
NOTE: * = missed game due to injury; ** = injury replacement
