LOS ANGELES (AP) -- LeBron James made a go-ahead, finger-roll layup with 34.5 seconds left and finished with a game-high 29 points to lead Team LeBron to a 148-145 victory against Team Stephen in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night at the Staples Center.
James, who was named the All-Star game MVP for the third time, gave his team a 146-145 lead with the layup and Russell Westbrook added a layup to complete the scoring.
"We got stops when we needed to," Westbrook said after the game.
Indeed.
Team Stephen couldn't get a good look for a tying 3 at the buzzer as both teams played with more effort than in recent years.
In a departure from the traditional East vs. West format, Stephen Curry and LeBron James picked the teams. The players seemed to enjoy the new format. While there were the usual fancy passes and slam dunks, there was also a lot more defense -- blocks, traps that lead to turnovers were all part of this showcase.
Damian Lillard and DeMar DeRozan scored 21 apiece for Team Stephen.
Curry hit one of his signature 3-point shots with 27.7 seconds left in the third quarter to give his team a 112-109 lead.
With the new format of the teams being picked by captains James and Curry, the players seem much more into it than in the past games, which have been largely devoid of defense.
The final score of this game won't come anywhere near last year's game, when the Western Conference beat the Eastern Conference 192-182 behind Anthony Davis' All-Star Game record of 52 points.
After the halftime show by N.E.R.D. and Pharrell Williams, injured Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks chatted with Jerry West and Bill Russell, who were sitting with Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
West, Russell, Erving and Abdul-Jabbar were introduced during a timeout, along with Magic Johnson and Shaquille O'Neal.
And, of course, Jack Nicholson was in the house.
Stars came out for Hollywood's NBA All-Star Game, but the weekend belonged to Hollywood blockbuster "Black Panther."
Actor and noted Lakers fan Jack Nicholson, rapper Snoop Dogg, singer Rihanna and comedian Chris Rock were among the many celebrities sitting courtside.
Late night host Jimmy Kimmel, "Black-ish" actor Anthony Anderson, New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr., rapper Chance the Rapper and director Spike Lee were also in attendance at Staples Center, and basketball greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West and Bill Russell all sat together.
However, it was the latest Marvel superhero film which debuted at No. 1 in the U.S. and Canada with a record-breaking weekend haul of $192 million that made its presence best known during the NBA's showcase event.
Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo delivered a thunderous jam while wearing a Black Panther mask he received from the film's star Chadwick Boseman during the slam dunk contest on Saturday night. It wasn't enough for Oladipo to advance to the finals, but the first-time all-star was thrilled to show his love for his favorite superhero.
"I've seen the movie already," Oladipo said. "It was nothing short of amazing."
Team Stephen was leading Team LeBron, 100-97, late in the third quarter.
Team Stats
|
STE
|
LEB
|
||
Field Goal
|
55- 124
|
62-120
|
||
FG %
|
44%
|
51%
|
||
3 pts
|
17-65
|
19-58
|
||
3 pts %
|
26%
|
32%
|
||
free throw
|
18 TO 22
|
5 TO 6
|
||
free throw %
|
81%
|
83
|
||
fast break
|
23
|
42
|
||
points in paint
|
56%
|
68
|
||
total rebouns
|
68
|
49
|
||
assists
|
36
|
40
|
||
turnovers
|
17
|
14
|
||
steals
|
10
|
10
|