The Latest on Sunday night’s All-Star game (all times local):
9:25 p.m.
Anthony Davis seems pretty popular among his Western Conference All-Star teammates. They’ve been setting him up for one basket after another.
Playing in his home arena before a crowd that kicked it up a notch when he was introduced before the game, Davis has 32 points through three quarters of Sunday night’s All-Star game, approaching Wilt Chamberlain’s All-Star record of 42 points in 1962.
There might have more of an attempt at playing defense in the All-Star game 55 years ago. Davis has scored 24 of his points on 12 dunks.
At 23, Davis is among the youngest All-Stars, and one player even younger, 22-year-old Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, is delighting his many fans back home in Greece.
Antetokounmpo has 28 points highlighted by a slew of flamboyant dunks. At one point, Stephen Curry just laid down on the court as the Greek Freak went to the hoop for a head of steam and soared past.
Russell Westbrook also is having a big game with 31 points through three. LeBron James has 23, highlighted by several emphatic dunks and a shot from just inside half court.
Heading into the final quarter, the West led the East 144-139
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8:30 p.m.
Anthony Davis has turned in a strong enough first half to keep him firmly in the running to walk away with All-Star MVP honors in his home arena, dunking eight times on his way to a game-high 22 first-half points.
But LeBron James and Russell Westbrook are right there with him in Sunday night’s NBA All-Star game.
James has 20 points, highlighted by some of the most spectacular dunks of the game.
Westbook has 19 points after scoring 10 in the second quarter. His baskets have included an alley-oop dunk set up by ex-Oklahoma City teammate Kevin Durant, now one of four Golden State Warriors on the West squad.
Neither team quite got 100 points in the first half, but it was close. After trailing 53-48 to start the second period, the West has leads 97-92 at halftime.
As expected, there was not much first-half defense; there have been 42 dunks in the game.
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7:55 p.m.
Regardless of how little friendly interaction there may have been this weekend between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the pair can still play together — at least instinctively if not purposefully.
Among the first quarter highlight of Sunday’s NBA All-Star game was Westbrook’s alley-oop dunk on a cut straight down the lane. The lob came from none other than Durant, who released seemed to release the pass quickly and instinctively when he saw a teammate bolting toward the hoop.
As usual, the NBA’s marquee event is featuring more action above the rim — and considerably less defense — than a typical regular season game.
There have been 22 dunks (along with a few missed dunk attempts) through the first 12 minutes — four apiece by hometown star Anthony Davis of the Pelicans and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. They are both also tied for game-high scoring with 10 points apiece.
On the scoreboard, the East has the edge, 53-48. That’s a 200-point pace.
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7:45 p.m.
It happened. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were really teammates again.
With 5 minutes left in the first quarter of the All-Star Game, Westbrook passed to Durant, who sent a lob back across to the lane to his former Oklahoma City teammate and set him up for a dunk.
A time-out was called not long afterward, and players around the Western Conference bench went into exaggerated applause.
The supposed Westbrook-Durant feud was one of the major storylines entering this All-Star Game, after Durant left the Thunder to join Golden State last summer.
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7:15 p.m.
The star-studded show that is the unveiling of the All-Star Game rosters is complete.
Headlined by The Roots, with DJ Jazzy Jeff, Michael B. Jordan and more as part of the show, the elaborate pregame took a musical look at the league’s history — paying homage to stars of the past and the stars of today.
And the celebrities aren’t just going to be on the court.
Among those expected courtside for the game: Beyonce, Jay Z, Magic Johnson, Fat Joe, Chris Tucker, Nick Cannon, John Legend, Alonzo Mourning, Oscar Robertson, Dikembe Mutombo and Spike Lee.
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6:30 p.m.
David Robinson and Grant Hill went home from All-Star weekend with trophies.
Robinson and Hill were among the honorees Sunday at the National Basketball Retired Players Association’s annual Legends Brunch, several hours before tip-off of the All-Star game. Robinson was chosen as the group’s Humanitarian of the Year, and Hill is the Community Ambassador of the Year.
Robinson was introduced by Basketball Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning, Hill by New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry.
Also honored Sunday were the five founding members of the NBRPA — Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens, the late Dave DeBusschere and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
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