Jason FlemingJason Fleming Email Print 0

On Sunday the main event of NBA All-Star Weekend finally came: the All-Star Game itself. Early on the game progressed as these games usually do, filled with highlight dunks and no defense whatsoever, but after the Western Conference dominated the first half and the beginning of the third the Eastern Conference stormed back, coming within a point. In the end the West prevailed, 152-149.

The Amway Center in Orlando was not full to capacity for the game, though it was fuller than during All-Star Saturday night. R&B singer Mary J. Blige performed a very solid rendition of the Star Spangled Banner to kick things off. It was also noted before tipoff Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was just 19 points away from passing Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan to become the all-time leader in points scored at the All-Star Game. This becomes relevant later.

Bryant starts the game on fire, scoring 11 in the first quarter while teammate Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder ends up with 13 as the West took a 39-28 lead after one. Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin added 10 while Miami HEAT forward LeBron James led the East with 11.

Lakers’ center Andrew Bynum, the starter for the West, did not return after playing six minutes. This was actually by design because of an injection he had Friday in his knee. Laker fans relax