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SPORTS Tuesday 18 February 2020
Last shot wins: Team LeBron wins All-Star Game 157-155

By TIM REYNOLDS It was the first All-Star Game
AP Basketball Writer with a new format: The
CHICAGO (AP) — Players teams played a mini-game
were taking charges, bod- in each of the first three
ies were hitting the floor, quarters, the scores start-
calls and non-calls were ing at 0-0 in each of those
being screamed about periods and the winning
on both ends. The fourth team in each one earning
quarter of the NBA All-Star $100,000 for their Chicago-
Game was as intense as area children's charity.
the final moments of a James' team won the first
playoff game, the biggest quarter 53-41, Antetok-
stars in the league holding oumpo's team won the
absolutely nothing back. second quarter 51-30.
And in the end, Anthony The third quarter had down-
Davis was a hometown to-the-wire, big-money
hero by making a free drama with $100,000 on the
throw. line. But the teams finished
Kobe Bryant — ever the the quarter tied 41-41, put-
competitor — would have ting $300,000 — the unde-
simply loved the way this cided $100,000 from the
night went. third and $200,000 more for
"That was pretty damn fun," the win — at stake in the fi-
a sweat-soaked, exhaust- nal period.
ed LeBron James said at The cumulative score at
the end. that point was Team Gi-
Davis made a game- LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with James Harden of the Houston Rockets annis 133, Team LeBron
ending free throw to give and Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of the NBA All-Star basket- 124 going into the untimed
Team LeBron a 157-155 ball game Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Chicago. fourth quarter — with an-
win over Team Giannis in Associated Press other new twist. The NBA
the revamped NBA All-Star decided, as part of the se-
Game on Sunday night, each and every quarter, tokounmpo's team wore charge from his former To- ries of Bryant tributes, that
the format overhauled to from a coaching stand- red, every player wear- ronto teammate in Leon- the winner of the All-Star
put in elements for charity point." ing No. 24 on the back for ard, elbows got up in colli- Game would be the team
and ensure that someone The finish was frantic, and Kobe Bryant. And on their sions for rebound position- that added 24 points, a
was going to hit a shot to then some. James tried a right shoulders was a black ing, Paul was screaming nod to his jersey number, to
end the game. layup that would have put circular patch with nine encouragement to Team whatever the leading total
That someone was Davis, his team one point away stars, one for each victim LeBron teammates in a score was after three quar-
the Chicago native who — it was blocked by An- of the helicopter crash that time-out — all adding up ters.
missed the first free throw tetokounmpo, called a took the lives of Bryant, his to an intensity hardly ever That meant the target
and made the second goaltend at first but ruled daughter and their seven seen in All-Star Games. score was set: 157. The
to end the NBA's midsea- a clean block after review. friends on Jan. 26. "To me, probably the best game clock was off. The
son showcase that went Team LeBron controlled "His presence was felt," All-Star game ever," Em- shot clock stayed on. The
down as the closest All-Star the resulting jump ball and James said. biid said. "Guys competed, stage for drama was per-
Game since the Eastern James tried a 40-footer to And with the new rules, it came down to basically fectly set, and the All-Star
Conference topped the end it but missed. the teams went at it in the the last shot, but I don't Game — oft-maligned in
Western Conference 141- James Harden then had a fourth: Antetokounmpo think you should be able recent years for a lack of
139 in 2010. chance to win it for Team got out to block a shot to win on a free throw. But competitiveness — was en-
Kawhi Leonard, the game's LeBron, and his 3-pointer by James, Lowry took a overall it was a lot of fun." tertaining again.q
MVP and the first recipient went in — but it was waved
of the trophy now named off by Kyle Lowry taking a
for Bryant, scored 30 points charge against the NBA's
for Team LeBron, while scoring leader. James got
James — his team's cap- a dunk not long afterward
tain — and Chris Paul each to make it 156-153, and Em-
scored 23, and Davis fin- biid made two free throws
ished with 20. to cut Team LeBron's lead
"This one's for him," Leonard to one.
said, speaking of Bryant af- With that, it was next-bas-
terward. ket-wins time.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, "Really cool," Nurse said.
who captained his team, Davis was fouled on the
led his squad with 25 points, next trip, got the free throw
Kemba Walker had 23 for to win it, and that was that.
Team Giannis, Joel Embiid "I told my team I was going
scored 22 and Rudy Gob- to miss the first one to put a
ert added 21. little more pressure on my-
"I think it was really inter- self here at home," Davis
esting," said Team Giannis said.
coach Nick Nurse of the James' team wore blue
NBA champion Toronto jerseys, all with the No. 2
Raptors. "It was really fun, for Gianna Bryant. Ante-