Carmelo Anthony and Kyrie Irving played splendidly as the East outcl(–foul word(s) removed–)ed West, 163-155 to stop its losing skid for three straight years in the annual NBA All-star game on Sunday (Monday PH time) at New Orleans.
photo credit: nba.si.com
Irving, the starting point-guard in this year’s main event delivered a double-double with 31 points and 14 (–foul word(s) removed–)ists while Anthony finished with 30 points built around by All-star record of eight three-pointers made to lead the Eastern representatives’ rally from 18 points down in the second half.
Paul George and LeBron James also had solid game contributing 22 and 18 markers, including important baskets down the stretch to lift the East team, which had a hard time stopping the explosive duo of Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin, letting the two forwards to score 30 apiece in the first three-quarters on an array dunks, lay-ups and three-points shots.
Durant and Griffin, who shot 19 of 23, both finished with 38 points apiece, four points short of Wilt Chamberlaine’s All-star game record 42 to lead the Western conference stars. Come backing Chris Paul and first-time All-star and starter Stephen Curry also combined 23 points and 24 (–foul word(s) removed–)ists for the losing cause of West.
Irving, who drilled in 15 points in the fourth quarter, was named the MVP of the night.
“It’s a great honor,” Irving said. “We had a few MVPs. Everyone out here today is an MVP.” (statement from (–foul word(s) removed–)ociated press)
The expected free-flowing exhibition game turned to a tight one as the East refused to be beaten by their counterparts after allowing high-scoring west to produce an all-star record of 89 point at the half.
“The superstars of our league were just telling us to compete on every play,” Irving said
The West was able to regain the lead at 155-53 on a Durant triple with 1:59 left but East behind George, James and Anthony, who buried his last three-pointer, closed out the match with a 10-2 run.