A game that showcases the NBA's finest with high-flying dunks, no defense, three-pointers and more alley-oops than your heart can handle took center stage on Sunday Night in New Orleans. This game of stars is a show where people just watch to see what players like Durant, James and Griffin have up their sleeve. They most certainly did not disappoint. The teams combined for 165 points in the first half, most in NBA All-Star history. At the end, the East came back from 18 points down to win it 163-155, snapping the three-game Western Conference win streak.
The West set an All-Star Game record of 89 points in the first half, highlighted by 20 from Blake Griffin, who had eight dunks. He scored 18 of those 20 in the first quarter. Heading into the second quarter, the West led by two, 44-42.
The first quarter highlight was shared by LeBron and Blake Griffin, who exchanged some eye-opening jams. You can see them below courtesy of SB Nation.
After trailing by as many as nine in the first quarter, the West took command in the second quarter, outscoring the East All-Stars 45-34. Going into the locker rooms, the West had the lead, 89-76. Records were already being set at the half with the total of 165 points eclipsed the old record of 157 points, set in 1988 and 2012. The West broke its own first half record after setting a new high last year with 88. It doesn't stop there. Combined, the 74 field goals made at half were the most ever, breaking the 2012 record of 69. The 50 assists were the most since the 45 combined in 1984. Also, the 40 made field goals by the West were the most in ASG history. Durant led all scorers at half with 22, two short of Glen Rice's record of 24, while Carmelo Anthony led the East with 18.
The halftime show was very New Orleans influenced as Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue opened the show. They were later joined by Louisiana legend Dr. John on the piano. Janelle Monae and Earth, Wind & Fire finished off the impressive show.
A game surely not highlighted by defense resumed in the third quarter with the East playing catchup. They did just that, scoring 47 points in the quarter, including a 16-0 run. The East was led by Kyrie Irving of the Cavs in the third, who tallied nine points and three assists to secure a double-double. After three he had 16 points and 10 assists. The West's lead was cut down from 13 to three, 126-123. Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant had 30 points a piece after three quarters. Anthony led East scorers with 24.
Down by as many as 18 points at one point in the third, the East, behind Kyrie Irving, were poised for a comeback and they did just that. Irving took over in the game in the final quarter, which actually showcased some defense. Irving scored 15 points in the fourth and dished out four more assists on 7-for-9 shooting from the floor. The East came out with more energy in the final stanza, outscoring the West 40-29 en route to a 163-155 victory, their first win in the last four All-Star Games.
Kyrie Irving exploded in the second half, which earned him MVP honors. The Cavs superstar finished with 31 points, 24 in the second half, along with 14 assists to lead the Eastern Conference All-Stars. He is the first Cavs player to win the All-Star MVP award. Two of his 31 were scored on this nasty step-back jumper, which can be seen above. Carmelo finished with 30 for the East. He hit eight three-pointers, which broke a record in a night of record setting performances.
After scoring 30 points a piece in the first half, Griffin (19-23 FG) and Durant (14-27 FG) only scored eight points each in the second half, finishing with 38 points each. Durant tallied a double-double, grabbing ten rebounds as well. The Western Conference duo fell just short of Wilt Chamberlain's record point total in an ASG, 42. In addition to that Chris Paul (11pts, 13ast) and Stephen Curry (12pts, 11ast) also added double-doubles of their own.
When the final buzzer sounded, more records were broken. 318 points were the most combined points in NBA All-Star History. That broke the record of 303 set in 1987. The East also straight-up broke the record for most points scored by an All-Star Team in the yearly exhibition game, 155, which the West needed two overtimes to back in 2003. Carmelo Anthony hit eight three-pointers, breaking the record of six set by LeBron and Mark Price. Blake Griffin made 19 shots, breaking the record of 17 set by Wilt Chamerlain, Michael Jordan and Kevin Garnett. Griffin's nine made field goals in the first quarter also set a record. To no one's surprise, eight of those were dunks.
Brandon Apter is a contributor to Sixerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ApterShock
