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SPORTS Tuesday 20 February 2018

Team LeBron edges Team Steph 148-145 in NBA All-Star Game

By GREG BEACHAM a free agent this summer.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron "The great thing about our
James and Kevin Durant commissioner (Adam Sil-
swarmed all over Stephen ver), he's absolutely OK
Curry in the final seconds, with trying something new,
preventing the NBA's best to change the format, and
shooter from finding even a it definitely worked out for
patch of open air to launch everybody," James added.
a tying 3-pointer. "It worked out not only for
Defense? In an All-Star the players, not only for the
Game? league, but for our fans, for
That was just one of the everybody. It was a great
many exciting surprises weekend, and we capped
created by a big change it off the right way."
to the league's midseason Both teams played real de-
showcase. After James fense for long stretches and
and Curry got to draft their contested many shots, with
own teams, this exhibition LeBron's group even pick-
really seemed to matter to ing up full-court late in the
basketball's best. first half.
And LeBron picked a win- And after an entertain-
ner. ing dunk contest won by
James scored 29 points and Donovan Mitchell and a
hit the go-ahead layup with record-setting effort by
34.5 seconds to play, win- Devin Booker in the 3-Point Team LeBron's LeBron James, second from left, of the Cleveland Cavaliers, shoots as Team Ste-
ning his third All-Star Game Shootout, the All-Star week- phen's Draymond Green, left, of the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson, second from right, of
MVP award while his team end ended with a recent the Golden State Warriors, and Stephen Curry, of the Golden State Warriors, defend during the first
rallied to win an uncom- novelty for the main event: half of an NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Los Angeles.
monly entertaining edition a thrilling finish. Associated Press
of the event, beating Team “The game was so good,” a layup with 10.7 seconds centages and final scores things more interesting.
Stephen 148-145 Sunday said a grinning Durant, who left. Team Steph had one were way down from re- “It was better,” said Team
night. scored 19 points in his ninth last chance, but even the cent seasons, reflecting Steph’s Klay Thompson,
For the first time in 67 All- All-Star Game. “It was so usually unguardable Curry the effort on the floor. The who scored all 15 of his
Star games, the league competitive. It was the best couldn’t elude James and relaxed All-Star vibe was still points on 3-pointers in his
abandoned the tradition- one I’ve been a part of.” Durant, who forced him to at Staples, however: Curry fourth All-Star Game. “At
al East-West format used Team LeBron rallied from give up the ball to DeRo- chowed down on a box the end, it was 100 percent.
since 1951, instead allow- an 11-point deficit with six zan, who couldn’t score of popcorn on the bench Throughout the game, it
ing the two captains to minutes to play, finishing over Durant’s arm in his during the third quarter, was probably 70, but guys
pick their sides. That twist the game on a 25-11 run. face. and the stars made time were competitive and they
turned a sometimes staid James tied it at 144-144 on “That was great defense by and room for plenty of really wanted to win that
event into the world's rich- a step-back 3-pointer with myself,” said a grinning Du- good-looking dunks and game.”
est pickup game, and the 1:31 to play. rant, who scored 19 points alley-oops. “They put on a UP NEXT
intrigue was reflected on LA native DeMar DeRozan in his ninth All-Star Game. show, but they gave the The 68th NBA All-Star Game
the Staples Center court, hit one free throw to put “I’m patting myself on the crowd something to root will be in Charlotte on Feb.
where a real basketball Team Steph back ahead, back.” Curry finished with for rather than just wilding 17, 2019. North Carolina
game broke out. but LeBron claimed the 11 points on 4-for-14 shoot- with dunks and lobs,” said was scheduled to host the
"I think the format was lead with his layup after ing. “Two tall giants out Paul George, who scored 2017 All-Star Game, but lost
great," said James, who some sharp passing by his there not letting me shoot,” 16 points for Team LeBron. it in July 2016 because of
added 10 rebounds and teammates. DeRozan then Curry said with a laugh Each member of the win- the state legislature’s Pub-
eight assists in front of LA made a turnover on an at- when describing the last ning team made a cool lic Facilities Privacy and
fans salivating at the still-re- tempted pass to Giannis play. “Tried to make a play, $100,000, a distinct raise Security Act, which is con-
mote possibility of the Lak- Antetokounmpo, and Rus- and it just didn’t work out.” from previous seasons in sidered by many to be dis-
ers landing the superstar as sell Westbrook broke out for The All-Stars’ shooting per- another attempt to make criminatory. q