NBA: Lillard wins NBA 3-point title with unknown McClung Dunk king

Portland's Damian Lillard won the Three-Point Contest and unheralded Mac McClung captured the Slam Dunk Contest crown on Saturday at NBA All-Star Game weekend festivities.

Seven-time NBA All-Star Lillard, a member of the US Tokyo Olympic gold medal team, was a college star at nearby Weber State, adding to his joy at winning the long-range shootout in his third attempt.

"It makes it that much more special," Lillard said. "They say the third time is the charm and I'm happy that it happened here. It's a perfect situation. I'm happy I could do it in my homecoming here to Utah."

The shocker came in the Slam Dunk Contest when McClung, called up from the developmental G-League by the Philadelphia 76ers earlier in the week, captured the dunk crown with a perfect score in the final.

"It's great. I'm truly blessed and grateful to the NBA for giving me this opportunity," McClung said. "I don't get surprised by things like this but I'm very appreciative."

The 6-foot-2 (1.88m) guard from rural Virginia had played only four NBA games but from his high school days was known for acrobatic dunks and after accepting the trophy from Julius Erving vowed to defend his crown, something few NBA stars do.

"If you'll have me I'll be back," McClung said.

McClung added his name to a history of dunk champions that includes Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant.

Among past 3-point champions were Larry Bird, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

"The best shooters in the history of our game, most of them have one of these," Lillard said of the 3-point trophy. "To be in this competition a few times and not have one, I just wanted to get it done at least one time.

"I'm happy I got it. Now I can retire from it."

Tyrese Haliburton and 2020 3-point contest winner Buddy Hield, both of the Indiana Pacers, joined Lillard in qualifying for the final. It was Lillard who shot last and eliminated Boston's Jayson Tatum and Utah's Lauri Markkanen.

Hield began the final with 25 points but Lillard sank his last four shots from the left corner to score 26. Haliburton missed eight of his first 10 shots and finished third on 17.

- McClung marvels crowd -

McClung had the only perfect score on the first round by leaping over a man sitting on another man's shoulders, tapping the ball on the backboard and making a reverse dunk.

"It was great," he said. "Getting my first dunk down felt really good."

McClung had the crowd roaring again with a 360-degree mid-air spin and slam to set the stage for the final.

Going for the trophy against Trey Murphy of New Orleans, McClung began by grabbing a ball being held aloft, then lifted it up, brought it down and made a reverse slam dunk.

His capper came when he donned his high school jersey from Gate City, ran to the hoop, did a 540-degree spin and made a reverse jam for a perfect score that made the crowd erupt and sealed his triumph.

The Utah Jazz trio of Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler won the Skills Challenge, consisting of passing, shooting and a relay course.

Agence France-Presse

Steph Curry dazzles with 16 3-pointers as Team LeBron wins All-Star Game

Stephen Curry scored 50 points and set an All-Star Game record with 16 3-point baskets to give Team LeBron a 163-160 victory over Team Durant on Sunday night in Cleveland.

Curry, playing for Team LeBron, shattered the former All-Star record of nine 3-pointers, set by Paul George in 2016. The Golden State Warriors' star fell two points shy of the scoring record set by Anthony Davis in 2017 but still took home MVP honors with his dazzling performance.

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers had 36 points and 10 rebounds to lead Team Durant.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers hit the game-ending shot to reach the target score and give Team LeBron the victory.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks had 30 points and 12 rebounds for Team LeBron. James scored 24 points while playing in his 18th All-Star Game, one shy of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record.

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns added 20 points for Team Durant.

The third quarter ended with Team Durant holding a 139-138 lead. That set the target winning score at 163 with the NBA adding 24 points to the leading total after three quarters. It is the third straight year the formula has been part of the game.

Curry's 16th 3-pointer gave Team LeBron a 144-139 lead. Embiid's three-point play later pulled Team Durant within 151-150 and then he sank two free throws to give his team a one-point lead.

Antetokounmpo later scored back-to-back baskets, James added a layup and DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls hit a turnaround to give Team LeBron a 161-155 lead. Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine scored five straight points for Team Durant before James drained the 17-foot fadeaway jumper that gave his team the required 163 points.

Curry attempted 27 3-pointers and was 17 of 30 overall from the field.

Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns played 2:19 for Team LeBron despite having a fractured right thumb that will sideline him for six to eight weeks. Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz missed the contest due to a non-COVID illness.

Also, injured Kevin Durant (knee) of the Brooklyn Nets didn't partake in the festivities due to the death of his grandmother earlier Sunday.

Between halves, members of the NBA's 75th anniversary team were honored.

When play resumed, Curry went into lava-hot mode and knocked down five 3-pointers in 128 seconds, including shots from 37 and 33 feet. His second 3-pointer during the stretch -- a 25-footer with 8:37 remaining in the third quarter -- was his 10th to break George's record.

Curry added two more 3-pointers later in the stanza to take a total of 15 into the final quarter. Both teams scored 45 points in the third period.

Curry had 24 first-half points on a record eight 3-pointers for a half, but Team LeBron trailed 94-93 at the break. Embiid had 17 first-half points to pace Team Durant.

-reuters-

Team LeBron outguns Team Giannis to win All-Star Game

CHICAGO -- Anthony Davis made a walk-off free throw and Team LeBron defeated Team Giannis in the 69th NBA All-Star Game on Sunday.

Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers' big man and first pick in the All-Star draft, missed badly off the back iron before sinking the second for a 157-155 victory in the unique, hotly contested showcase.

Kawhi Leonard earned the Kobe Bryant MVP Award after recording 30 points to lead Team LeBron, while Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) had 25 in a losing effort.

Neither team used a sub in the final quarter.

LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) gave Team LeBron a 156-153 lead but Chris Paul (Oklahoma City Thunder) opted for a 3 and missed. At the other end, Team Giannis closed the gap to 156-155 on two Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) free throws.

James was denied an earlier basket that would have made the score 156-153 after a review showed Antetokounmpo cleanly blocked James' layup initially called goaltending.

The fourth quarter began as a race to 157 points.

James Harden (Houston Rockets) made up for a missed set of free throws by making two and putting Team LeBron up 154-152.

Team LeBron mounted a comeback in the fiery final quarter that included Team Giannis' Kyle Lowry taking two charges and an official challenge -- overturning a foul call to a jump ball and change of possession -- with the game tied at 152.

Harden made a 3 to tie the game at 146 and Davis brought it back to all square after Team Giannis got two free throws from Embiid.

Team Giannis led 133-124 after three quarters, starting the unusual untimed final quarter.

The target final score of 157 was calculated using Team Giannis' score total after three quarters and adding 24 points.

A tightly contested third quarter tilted to Team LeBron with a Nikola Jokic 3-pointer. The Nuggets' 7-footer knocked down his shot with 22.2 seconds left and, after a turnover, applied a full-court press resulting in a foul and a pair of free throws for Russell Westbrook (Houston Rockets). He made 1 of 2.

Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) connected on a cross court lob with Rudy Gilbert (Utah Jazz), tying the quarter 41-all with 2.2 seconds left. Westbrook missed a shot at the buzzer.

Team Giannis led 92-83 at halftime, with Young splashing a half-court shot at the buzzer.

Antetokounmpo lit up the second quarter and brought hustle at both ends -- not exactly an All-Star Game staple -- putting up 14 points and five boards in the period. Team Giannis won the second quarter 51-30.

Leonard had 12 points on 4-of-4 3-point shooting when the first subs were made 6 minutes, eight seconds into the game. He had 25 points in the first half -- seven 3s -- to lead all scorers. Team LeBron dominated the first quarter, 53-41, thanks to 9-of-18 shooting from 3-point range.

LeBron James, making his 16th All-Star Game appearance, and Team LeBron wore blue jerseys all with No. 2 on the back, and Team Giannis wore red No. 24 jerseys. The one-time gesture was a nod to Bryant, who wore No. 24, and his daughter Gianna, who preferred No. 2.

The untimed fourth quarter was a race to a target final score -- determined by adding 24 points to the score of the team leading after three quarters -- as part of a tribute to Bryant.

It was the first time since 2013 the All-Star Game was played without Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who is sidelined with a broken finger. Nets forward Kevin Durant, the 2019 All-Star Game MVP, was named an All-Star every year since 2010 before Sunday. He is sitting out the season recovering from a torn Achilles.

Each team represented a Chicagoland youth charity with the winning team netting $200,000 for their chosen organization, plus an extra $100,000 carried over from the third-quarter tie. The top-scoring team in each of the first three quarters was pegged to earn $100,000 for its charity.

Team Giannis represented After School Matters and Team LeBron played for Chicago Scholars.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

NBA: Hield beats Booker to win 3-Point Contest

CHICAGO -- Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield won the 3-Point Contest at NBA All-Star Saturday night by making his 54th try of the night.

Hield splashed a "moneyball" for a one-point win over Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, who won the event in 2018.

Booker had 20 points in the finals when he reached his final rack -- two-point moneyballs in the corner -- and canned three of his five tries to get to 26 points.

Hield and Booker tied in the first round.

The top three scorers in the eight-man field advanced: Booker, a late sub for Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Hield scored 27 total points, and Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans had 26 in Round 1.

Bertans shot first in the final round and made 4 of 5 moneyball attempts, tallying 22 points.

The rules of the contest were changed this year. Each made 3-pointer was worth one point with a few exceptions.

Two stations and 10 seconds were added to the traditional five-rack setup, with the extra shots worth three points and 6 feet behind the NBA 3-point line on the floor at 29 feet, 9 inches. 

Contestants also have one rack of five basketballs that count double (two points) -- moneyballs -- they can set either in the corner, wing or top of the key.

The five players eliminated in the first round of shooting were defending champion Joe Harris (22) of the Brooklyn Nets, hometown rep Zach LaVine (23) of the Bulls, Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (19), Charlotte Hornets guard Devonte' Graham (18) and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (15).

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Team LeBron edges Team Steph in NBA All-Star thriller

LeBron James scored 10 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter as Team LeBron rallied to defeat Team Stephen 148-145 in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

James added 10 rebounds and eight assists and led a feverish defensive stop on the final possession to preserve the victory and earn MVP honors. He is the league's All-Star Game MVP for a third time, joining Bob Petit (four), Kobe Bryant (four), Oscar Robertson (three), Michael Jordan (three) and Shaquille O'Neal (three) with three or more.

Kevin Durant added 19 points, Paul George scored 16, Andre Drummond and Bradley Beal had 14 each, Kyrie Irving 13, Anthony Davis 12 and Kemba Walker 11 for Team LeBron.

Russell Westbrook contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for Team LeBron.

DeMar Rozan and Damian Lillard led Team Stephen with 21 points each, while Joel Embiid scored 19, Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 16, Klay Thompson had 15, James Harden 12 and Curry 11.

After DeRozan made 1 of 2 free throws to give Team Stephen a one-point lead with 40 seconds left, James scored on a drive to put his team ahead. After a turnover by Team Stephen, James fed Russell Westbrook for a layup and a 148-145 lead with 10 seconds left.

A trapping defense by James and Durant prevented Curry and his team from getting off a shot on the final possession.

"We got stops when we needed to, got some buckets, made some big plays down the stretch. It was good," Westbrook said on TNT after the game. "We wanted to win. We take pride, and we came out to win.

It was fun and exciting to get to go against other guys from the same conference. It was fun."

Durant's 3-pointer gave Team LeBron a one-point lead at the outset of the third quarter, but DeRozan and Embiid scored five points each as Team Stephen took a 90-83 lead.

Team LeBron twice got within two points and once got within one point three times before Beal's 3-pointer gave James' club a 105-103 lead.

The score was tied twice before Curry's 3-pointer gave his team a 112-109 lead after three quarters.

Lillard scored seven points as Team Stephen built the lead to 133-120 midway through the fourth quarter.

George's 3-pointer ended the run, he made another and James converted a three-point play as Team LeBron got within 136-133.

Irving's basket got Team LeBron within a point and Westbrook twice made baskets that James' squad within one.

Embiid scored on a layup before James hit a 3-pointer to even the score at 144 with 1:30 remaining.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

NBA announces All-Star overhaul

LOS ANGELES -- The NBA announced a radical overhaul of the league's All-Star game format on Tuesday, scrapping the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference duel in favour of two teams chosen by nominated captains.

Under the changes, which were hammered out by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), a captain from each conference will pick the sides from a pool of starters and reserves.


The two captains will take turns selecting players, with no regard to conference affiliation, a statement said.

The captains will be the All-Star starter from each conference who receives the most votes in a poll of fans.

The All-Star Game, which has been branded a meaningless exhibition in recent years, will take place next year at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 18.

"I'm thrilled with what the players and the league have done to improve the All-Star Game, which has been a priority for all of us," said NBPA President Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets.

"We're looking forward to putting on an entertaining show in LA."

NBA President of League Operations Byron Spruell welcomed the input of players keen to "try something new".

In another new move, the two All-Star teams will play for charity, raising money for either a Los Angeles-based non-profit or a national organisation.

The All Star Game starters and captains will be announced on January 18.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver had signalled that changes to the All-Star Game were coming after this year's event in New Orleans, which ended in a farcical 192-182 victory for the Western Conference over the Eastern Conference.

"I promise this time that next year's will be different," Silver said in June.

"I think we all recognised, and we talked about it at least year's All-Star, we've gotten to the point where everyone seemed to agree it needed to be more competitive."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Hometown hero Davis lifts West over East in All-Star Game

In the full-court layup drill and three-point contest otherwise known as the 66th NBA All-Star Game, New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis set an All-Star record with 52 points and Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook added 41 points to carry the Western Conference to a 192-182 victory over the Eastern Conference on Sunday night in New Orleans (Monday in Manila).

In a game in which defense was outlawed and feuding former teammates Westbrook and Kevin Durant played together for only 81 seconds, the West defeated the East for the sixth time in the last seven games.

The 374 combined points broke the record of 369 set during the West's 196-173 win a year ago.

The East was led by Milwaukee Bucks center Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 30 points, and LeBron James, making his 13th All-Star start, with 23 points.

Davis, named the MVP, broke the All-Star Game scoring record of 42 points set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962. He made 26 of 39 shots from the field, eclipsing Blake Griffin's 2014 record of 19 made field goals in an All-Star Game.

One play in the second half summed up the general mindset of the players, who naturally placed self-preservation ahead of bravado.

Antetokounmpo stole the ball near midcourt and had a four-on-one against Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry. Curry found a spot in the middle of the lane -- 10 feet in front of the basket -- and laid stomach-first on the floor while Antetokounmpo hit a windmill dunk.

*sees #Giannis coming*

*literally gets out of the way*#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/c2beaU0bV1 — NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2017


The world did not stop spinning on its axis, but it did skip a beat midway through the first quarter when the West embarked on an otherwise mundane offensive possession.

Westbrook and Durant ran across midcourt on either side of the key. Westbrook flicked a pass to Durant on the left side, and Durant threw it right back to Westbrook on a give-and-go that resulted in a dunk and a 31-28 West lead.

#KevinDurant up top for #RussellWestbrook for #TeamWEST!#NBAAllStar @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/lXDtN6hIfu

— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2017

At the next timeout, the West bench greeted Durant and Westbrook with high-fives, and someone poured a bottle of water on Durant's head. Clippers center DeAndre Jordan came over and bear-hugged Westbrook as team managers got on the floor and wiped up the water.

The East led 53-48 after 12 minutes -- the 101 combined points was an All-Star Game record for a quarter -- and the West took a 97-92 halftime lead.

The 189 first-half points broke the All-Star record of 187 points set in the first half last year (West 104, East 83).

There was no defense allowed, so 58.1 percent shooting by the West and 58.0 percent by the East in the first half actually was a shade disappointing.

(Editing by Andrew Both)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Warriors' Thompson eyes All-Star three-point repeat

NEW YORK -- Defending champion Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors and 2013 winner Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers head the field for the NBA All-Star three-point shooting contest announced on Thursday.

The eight-player event is part of All-Star Saturday Night in New Orleans on February 18, curtain raiser to the All-Star Game midseason exhibition on February 19.

The Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon will try to improve on his runner-up finish last year in the Slam Dunk competition.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine has already said he won't go for a third straight dunk crown, so Gordon will be up against DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers, Derrick Jones of the Phoenix Suns and Glenn Robinson of the Indiana Pacers.

Anthony Davis, star of the All-Star host New Orleans Pelicans, heads the field for the Skills Challenge in which eight players showcase their dribbling, passing, agility and three-point shooting prowess.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

WATCH: Guy in jeans wows NBA fans with dunk

The NBA should have added Jordan "Mission Impossible" Kilganon...

The NBA should have added Jordan "Mission Impossible" Kilganon to the dunk contest last night...

Posted by Bleacher Report on Sunday, 14 February 2016

Professional dunker Jordan Kilganon impressed basketball fans at the NBA All-Star Game by doing one of his signature dunks.

The 6-foot-1 Canadian came out wearing jeans during a fourth-quarter timeout of the NBA All-Star Game and jumped over his associate to complete what he calls the “Scorpion dunk.”

Interestingly, Kilganon, who specializes in trick dunks, didn’t play in the NBA nor has he participated in college hoops.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

NBA releases All-Star Game Twitter emojis

Here's another reason to follow the NBA during the 2016 All-Star game: brand-new Twitter emojis!

The Association just released a set of emojis for the players participating in the annual league showcase in Toronto.

You have the Black Mamba for Kobe Bryant, a crown for LeBron James, a PG-13 movie ticket for Paul George and player faces for guys like Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook.

There's also a set for the NBA on TNT crew including Shaq.

Check out the @twitter emojis for #NBAAllStarTO! All you got to do is tweet an All Star's #FirstNameLastName pic.twitter.com/6D26rwcJzA

— NBA (@NBA) February 12, 2016

This story was originally published on the ABS-CBN Sports website.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Hawks' Horford to replace Bosh in All-Star Game

MONTREAL, Canada - Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford was named Friday by NBA commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Miami forward Chris Bosh in Sunday's 65th NBA All-Star Game.

Bosh, named a reserve for the Eastern Conference squad that will face the Western Conference in Toronto, will be sidelined with a strained calf.

"What a privilege to be named to the #NBAAllStarTO team," Horford posted on Twitter. "Looking forward to representing Atlanta! #Grateful."

Horford is making his fourth All-Star appearance after prior nods in 2010, 2011 and last year. The 29-year-old Dominican is averaging 15.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 blocked shots a game for the Hawks, who lead the Southeast division at 31-24 and rank fourth in the Eastern Conference.

In addition, Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum will replace Bosh in Saturday's NBA Three-Point Contest. In his third NBA campaign, McCollum is averaging career highs of 20.7 points, 4.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds a game.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Stephen Curry to defend NBA three-point crown at all-star showcase

Stephen Curry, who is on pace to shatter his single-season three-point record, will attempt to defend his long-range shooting title at next week's NBA All-Star Game weekend in Toronto.

The announcement Thursday comes less than 24 hours after the Golden State superstar Curry finished one three-pointer shy of matching the one game NBA record of 12 three pointers in the Warriors' 134-121 win over Washington.

Reigning league Most Valuable Player and current NBA scoring leader Curry has made 232 three-pointers in 49 games this season, putting him on track to break his own record of 286 which he established last season.

The NBA also announced that Zach LaVine will attempt to become the first repeat champion in the popular slam dunk contest since Nate Robinson did it in 2009 and 2010.



Curry highlights an eight-player three-pointer field that also includes Warrior teammate Klay Thompson and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, James Harden of the Houston Rockets and Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors.

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks and JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Clippers are expected to take part in the Skills competition on February 13 at Air Canada Centre arena.

Curry, who is averaging 29.8 points per game, has led the league in three-pointers in each of the past three seasons. He is the first player in league history to sink 200 in four straight seasons.

LaVine is hoping to join Michael Jordan (1987-88), Jason Richardson (2002-03) and Robinson as the only back-to-back slam dunk winners.

The 20-year-old LaVine is also the lone player from last year's competition willing to take part again as Denver's Will Barton, Detroit's Andre Drummond and Orlando's Aaron Gordon are making their slam dunk debuts.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Bloopers in NBA All-Star history

Even NBA legends can be funny as can be seen in this blooper reel showing some of the LOL moments in the history of the NBA All-Star Games.

The 64th NBA All-Star Game was held last Monday (Manila time) with the Western Conference beating the East, 163-158. Russell Westbrook led the West with 41 points.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Westbrook shines as West holds off East in All-Star Game

Westbrook, a reserve this year, scored 41 points – one shy of Wilt Chamberlain's record set in 1962 – to go along with five rebounds and was named All-Star MVP after putting on an electrifying performance that included several high-light reel dunks.

At one point in the second half, Westbrook slammed home an alley-oop dunk off a pass from LA Clippers point guard Chris Paul, and replays showed that he hit his head on the backboard in a stunning display of athleticism.

"It's amazing. It's a blessing to be here in New York City and go home with the trophy," said Westbrook, whose Thunder squad is in a fierce battle for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

"(Wilt Chamberlain is) a great. I'm happy to be close to him," Westbrook also said, later noting that he missed "four or five lay-ups" that could have helped him break the record.

The West took a huge lead early in the first half before the Cleveland pair of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, with help from four members of the Atlanta Hawks, led a rally by the East. A triple by Irving allowed the East to enter halftime down by just a point, 82-83.

A back-and-forth game followed in the second half, but the West took the lead for good when Houston's James Harden swished a step-back three-pointer with a little over four minutes left that made it 151-148.

Paul then drained two consecutive jumpers to give the West a 155-148 lead with 2:47 to go. The East came as close as three points, 158-161, with 2.8 seconds left after a lay-up by Pau Gasol, but Westbrook iced the win from the free throw line to wrap up the West's win.

"He's unbelievable," James said of Westbrook. "He's an unbelievable talent in our league. His motor, his athleticism, his demeanor about how he approaches the game, it's all great. It's great for our league."

New records

The two teams combined to score 321 points, a new record for the All-Star Game. The Western Conference also combined to hit 25 three-pointers, and the two squads combined for 48 triples – both new records.

Westbrook also set a new record for most points scored in a half when he made 27 points in the first two quarters.

Harden, a top MVP candidate this season, had a fine game as well with 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in over 26 minutes of playing time. Stephen Curry, the new three-point shootout king, had 15 points, and Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge had 18.

James finished with 30 points and passed Michael Jordan for second place in the All-Star Game scoring list. Kobe Bryant, who was voted as a starter but did not play due to injury, holds the record with 280 points.

Of the four Atlanta Hawks who played in the game, it was sharp-shooting Kyle Korver who shone brightest with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc.

The game made history right from the start as the Gasol brothers, Pau and Marc, lined up for the opening tap as the first siblings to ever start the midseason classic. Pau, now playing for the Chicago Bulls, won the tip.

"The opening tip was fun," West coach Steve Kerr said. "Just to see them jumping against each other and to think about them growing up in Spain. Who would have guess that one day, they would jump at center at the All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden."

"That was a special moment."

The players from the West team went home with $50,000, double the amount taken away by the losing East players. -- With reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Melo' denies sitting out to join All-Star game

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, who is contemplating not playing the rest of the year, denied he sat out games just so he would be available for the All-Star Game.

Anthony called that theory "absurd," ESPN reported Friday. Anthony said he had played even when told to rest his troublesome left knee.

Anthony, 30, has dealt with soreness in the knee for most of the season and has missed 13 games, including two of the last three before the All-Star break.

On Thursday, the eight-time All-Star told ESPN Radio that there's a good chance he will be shut down for the remainder of the season after the All-Star Game on Sunday in New York. But Friday he hedged on his plans.

"I haven't made that decision yet," Anthony said at NBA All-Star Media Day. "I've got to talk to everybody. I haven't talked to anybody."

- - -

Knicks owner James Dolan said his vitriolic response to an email from an angry fan was "tit for tat" and he knows he should not have responded that way.

Speaking Friday during a charity event at All-Star Weekend, Dolan said the critical email from 73-year-old fan Irving Bierman "caught me at the wrong moment and I responded sort of like tit for tat. I knew I shouldn't have done that, but I did it anyway because it made me angry. It was a personal, hateful attack.

"Basically it's over and we've got All-Star Weekend. I'd love it if we all just focused on that."

- - -

The Houston Rockets are making a renewed attempt to trade for Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic.

League sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets are hoping to convince the Suns to part with Dragic before the Feb. 19 trade deadline.

Dragic, 28, is in his second season in Phoenix after leaving the Rockets in free agency in July 2012. He can become a free agent this offseason by declining a $7.5 million player option for 2015-16. Dragic is averaging 16.2 points and 4.1 assists this season. (Editing by Andrew Both)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Silly questions, international flavor top All-Star Media Day

NEW YORK - Hundreds of quote-starved journalists packed into a Manhattan hotel ballroom, swarming around basketball royalty on Friday.

From starters like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and the Gasol brothers, Pau and Marc, to old timers such as Dominique Wilkins and Scottie Pippen, reporters and camera crews at NBA All-Star Game Media Day jockeyed for position in a crush that approached Super Bowl hysterics.

There were even the silly questions that have long been a hallmark of the NFL championship game build-up.

San Antonio Spurs sharp-shooting guard Marco Belinelli, who is competing in Saturday's three-pointer contest, was quizzed about cuisine in the south Texas city.

"I'm from San Antonio. How do you like the Mexican food down there? Do you have a favorite place? What does an Italian in San Antonio enjoy eating?" a reporter asked.

"I need to find one," answered Belinelli, who is in his second season with the NBA champion Spurs.

"There is a good restaurant in San Antonio for Mexican food but I couldn't find a good Italian restaurant. It's a good city."

International reporters, meanwhile, were out in force, with a hefty Spanish contingent dominating talks with the Gasol brothers, the first siblings to start in an NBA All-Star Game.

More than 1,800 media are covering the NBA All-Star weekend, including a record 534 international media from 52 countries --more than double last year's total of 265 in New Orleans.

The All-Star weekend features a record 16 international players in a season when a record 101 foreign players were on NBA rosters.

Belinelli's Spurs are perhaps the most international of all NBA teams, playing a sublime form of team basketball with the help of Argentine Manu Ginobili, Frenchmen Tony Parker and Boris Diaw, Australians Patty Mills and Aron Baynes and Brazil's Tiago Splitter.

"Live the dreams in America and try to do your best to win," said Belinelli. "A lot of guys from everywhere around the world. Is good."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Durant scores 43 to lift Thunder over Lakers

LOS ANGELES - Kevin Durant scored 19 of his 43 points in the fourth quarter on Thursday as Oklahoma City dealt the injury-hit Los Angeles Lakers a franchise-worst seventh straight NBA home defeat.

Durant added 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals to help the Thunder go into the league's All-Star break on a high note with a 107-103 win.

"It gives us a good feeling going into the break," said Durant, whose Thunder improved to 43-12 and hold a 1 1/2 game lead over Indiana for the best record in the league.

Durant, who was named to his fifth All-Star game, will be the Thunder's lone participant in the mid-season exhibition.

Reggie Jackson added 16 points, Derek Fisher scored 12 and Serge Ibaka finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and five blocks for the Thunder, who have won four straight.

The injury-ravaged Lakers, meanwhile, fell to 18-35, tied with Sacramento for worst record in the Western Conference.

Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni praised his team's effort, but admitted the team was looking forward to the All-Star break as a chance to rest and regroup.

The Lakers won't have a player in the All-Star game in New Orleans on Sunday, a first since the 1995-96 season.

Superstar Kobe Bryant was voted a starter, despite playing only six games this season, but is unable to take part as he recovers from a broken bone in his left knee.

The Lakers' veteran point guard Steve Nash was sidelined Thursday after aggravating the nerve problem in his back that had already caused him to miss 39 games this season.

Spanish big man Pau Gasol, Jodie Meeks, Nick Young, Xavier Henry were also sidelined by injury.

Given the stream of injuries that has bedevilled the team, D'Antoni said his remaining players were coping well with the increased demands on them.

The Lakers led 24-17 after the first quarter and 54-45 at halftime. But D'Antoni said 23 turnovers and too many missed free throws doomed them even more than Durant's late surge.

D'Antoni was delighted that the Lakers limited league-leading scorer Durant to 14-of-33 from the floor.

"That's great defence," D'Antoni said. "Any time he shoots under 50 percent, that's good. He got loose a couple of times, but that's not where we got beat. We got beat turning it over and not making foul shots."

Chris Kaman and Wesley Johnson led six Lakers in double figures with 19 points each.

Kaman also had 10 rebounds and six assists.

Shawne Williams added 15 points and nine rebounds and Kendall Marshall had 14 points and passed out a game-high 17 assists for the Lakers.

"A little bit short," D'Antoni said. "We're looking forward to the break and we'll have four guys at least coming back and that will help a lot."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LeBron, Durant lead NBA All-Star poll

Miami Heat forward LeBron James and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant are the top vote-getters from their respective conferences for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game in the latest results announced by the league on Thursday.

James is the overall leader with 854,105 votes. He is followed in the Eastern Conference by forward Paul George (712,808) of the Indiana Pacers and forward Carmelo Anthony (580,795) of the New York Knicks. James' Heat teammate, Dwyane Wade, leads the East's backcourt players with 565,455 votes. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (524,000) is next.

In the Western Conference frontcourt balloting, Durant (850,728) is ahead of Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (408,623) and Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (399,357). Durant leads the NBA in scoring this season. The West's backcourt leaders are injured Kobe Bryant (723,031) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chris Paul (533,647) of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The NBA All-Star Game will be played Feb. 16 in New Orleans.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com