Irving stars as East beats West in NBA All-Star Game

MANILA, Philippines – Kyrie Irving led a gigantic comeback in the fourth quarter as the Eastern All Stars clawed back to edge the Western All Stars, 163-155 on Monday (Manila time) in the 63rd NBA All Star Game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star finished with 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 14 assists to win the Kia All-Star MVP award  inside a packed Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, which feated NBA legends and famous celebrities in attendance.

The East crew trailed by as much as 18 points in the second half, but Irving teamed up with the rest of of coach Frank Vogel’s wards as they storm back to win. The West All Stars’ three-game winning run at the annual spectacle meanwhile, came to an end.

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The East squad zoomed to a 17-9 edge in the early goings, with 4-time NBA MVP LeBron James putting on a highlight reel composed of an array of slams.

Blake Griffin, with the help of Los Angeles Clippers teammate Chris Paul, spearheaded a West rally; the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk King fired 18 1st quarter points on 8 slams and 9-of-11 field goals to give Team West a lift, 44-42 at the end of the opening period.

Griffin made an NBA All Star record for most field goals in a quarter.

The entry of New Orleans Pelican Anthony Davis boosted the West in the second quarter, scoring jams on lob passes in a 13-2 blitz that turned a 56-all deadlock into a 69-58 bubble for the West squad.

Triples by perennial scoring champ Kevin Durant helped coach Scott Brooks’ troops reach 89 points at the half, establishing a new record for points scored in a half of an NBA All Star game.

West led the East, 89-76 entering the break, also a new record for most points combined in a half with 165.

West’s shooting, East’s defense

In the third period, Durant and Griffin continued their glitz as Team West threatened to pull away, 113-95. Kyrie Irving and Carmelo Anthony then replied with a trey each to bring down the deficit to just 12, 101-113.

But the outside shooting of the Western Conference came to life, with Kevin Love and James Harden joining the scoring spree to make it 123-105 late in the third.

However, a three-minute scoring drought from the West allowed coach Franj Vogel’s boys to claw back; Joe Johnson, Kyrie Irving, and Paul George conspired in a mighty 18-3 blast as the Eastern stars ended the third period down by just 3, 123-126.

Fourth quarter fightback from the East

Carrying momentum from a big third quarter run, Irving scored six points on dazzling moves while Anthony hit an outside bomb to tie it at 140 apiece.

Joakim Noah then had a breakaway slam to give Team East a taste of the lead, 142-140.

But Durant, known for hitting clutch baskets throughout his career, knocked down a big three and then fed Griffin for a fastbreak dunk to regain the lead, 145-142 with over 5 minutes left in regulation.

A mini-run by the East capped by Irving’s layup gave them a 148-147 edge momentarily, although a trey by first-time all star Steph Curry and free throws by Durant made it 152-148 for the West.

Curry and Durant then exchanged long range buckets before Paul George sank 3 free throws that gave the East the upperhand, 156-155.

A miss by Durant on the other side led to another trey by Anthony-his 8th connection at that time-for a 159-155 edge with just 61 ticks to go.

Durant muffed more attempts, leading to a James layup on the other end to seal the deal.

All Star Game of records

The 63rd NBA All Star game was highlighted by a handful of records.

Carmelo Anthony’s 8 conversions from downtown is the most in an All Star contest, while a combined 50 assists from the two squads in the first half is also a new record.

Blake Griffin had 38 points for the West on a record 19 field goals made, while the two teams combined for 318 total points, eclipsing the previous high of 303.

Anthony added 30 points while Griffin and Durant each had 38 for the fallen West. – Rappler.com