A 50-point Stephen Curry masterclass proved the catalyst behind Team LeBron’s 163-160 win over Team Durant in yesterday’s NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland.
Curry hit an NBA All-Star Game-record 16 threes, as Team LeBron won its fifth consecutive All-Star Game to remain undefeated since the changing of the format in 2018. The two-time MVP fell just two points short of Anthony Davis’ All-Star Game record of 52 that he set in 2017, but still did enough to be named the winner of the Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award.
The matchup was hotly contested down to LeBron James’ walk-off fadeaway. James’ men won the first quarter by a narrow two points before Team Durant responded with a second quarter victory. The third quarter ended in a 45-apiece stalemate, leaving a target score of 163 in an untimed fourth-quarter. Backing Zach LaVine down on the right wing with a chance to win it in the city he famously delivered a title to in 2016, the 37-year-old James negotiated a late double-team to sink a fall-away, long two.
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Whilst two of the NBA’s top dogs Curry and James dominated headlines, they were not alone in impressive outings. Joel Embiid led Team Durant with 36 points and 10 rebounds, whilst Devin Booker and LaMelo Ball combined for 38 off the bench.
For Team LeBron, reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo put up a tidy 30 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists, whilst Cavaliers first-timers Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland combined for 23 off the bench in front of their home fans.
Members of the NBA’s commemorative 75th Anniversary Team were honoured at half-time in a mouth-watering gathering for basketball historians. Moments were shared between a esteemed collection of all-timers, from Michael Jordan to LeBron James, Magic Johnson to Shaquille O’Neal, and Hakeem Olajuwon to Larry Bird, as each were acknowledged by the Cleveland crowd.
