NBA All-Star Game: West Beats East 196-173, Westbrook Named MVP

Feb 16, 2016, 22:14

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has been named the MVP of the 2016 All-Star game, giving him the award for the second straight season, as the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 196-173.

The West made a record 31 three- pointers - including seven apiece from Westbrook and James Harden and six from Stephen Curry.

Westbrook joined Bob Pettit as the only players in All-Star Game history to win the MVP twice in a row, Pettit winning the honor in 1958 and sharing it with Elgin Baylor in 1959.

The East led 43-40 after the first quarter, but the first half ended with the West up 92-90 and they were up by nine heading into the final frame.

Heading into retirement after the season, Bryant scored 10 points on 4-for-11 shooting while playing in his 18th and final All-Star game.

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Chris Paul had 14 points and 16 assists for the West. Bryant left the game to a standing ovation with 1:06 to play.

"To see him now, it's like the passing of a generation", West coach Gregg Popovich said.

Paul George of the Indiana Pacers scored a game-high 41 points, which is one point shy of the 1962 record of Wilt Chamberlain.

James finished with 13 points, just enough to move ahead of Bryant for most ever in the All-Star Game.

He dunked twice and then finished the game by sinking a buzzer-beating shot from near halfcourt to close out his 26-point, six-assist, five-rebound night.

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The entire weekend was a celebration of the career of basketball great Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, who played in the final All-Star Game of his 19 year career.

"We've got one more in March in L.A., but when you get that opportunity versus a great man, you just have fun with it. I know it's been overwhelming for him over this year, but our fans across the world and here in the States and here in Toronto, as well, have just been paying so much respect".

With 27 games remaining in the season, one of the priorities will be to keep Bryant relatively healthy. When starting lineups for both sides were announced, East and West players alternated coming on a stage with Canadian rapper Drake. Though he admits that the break would be a great way for his teammates to get some rest, he hopes the momentum of the Cavs will not be hampered with the time off. They're just a fun-loving group and they enjoy each other as much as they enjoy the game. Neither Naismith nor anyone who saw that game would recognize the way it looked Sunday.

We've got a full run-down of every sneaker worn during last night's ASG so if you missed out on any of the action, make sure you catch-up with our All-Star gallery.

"It feels so good to be able to speak to them about the game, to be able to share some of the knowledge I learned throughout my career ... so they can carry on the tradition of the National Basketball Association and hopefully play 20 years themselves".

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