Points records fall at All-Star Game; East beats West
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard scored 39 points and drained 11 three-pointers to lead the Eastern Conference to a record-setting 211-186 win over the Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night in Indianapolis. Lillard, 33, was named NBA All-Star Game MVP for the first time for his performance. The Eastern Conference shattered the record for most points by a team in an All-Star Game. The previous mark was 196 points, which late Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant and the Western Conference notched during the 2016 All-Star Game. Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown added 36 points on 15-for-23 shooting for the Eastern Conference in the win. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton finished with 32 points on 11-for-15 shooting to delight fans who watched him play on his home court. Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves led the Western Conference with 50 points on 23-for-35 shooting. The Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 31 points on 12-for-16 shooting, including a 7-for-10 mark from long distance. The contest was dominated by 3-pointers and dunks, as neither side devoted much energy or attention to defense. LeBron James made history by playing in his 20th All-Star Game. The 39-year-old surpassed fellow Los Angeles Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who earned 19 selections. The career milestone did not equate to a memorable performance on the court for James. He finished with eight points on 4-for-10 shooting, and he missed all three of his 3-point attempts. The Eastern Conference led 104-89 at the half. Lillard had 22 points before the break, including a half-dozen 3-pointers, to help his team grab a 15-point lead. Lillard maintained his hot hand in the second half. He drained a spot-up shot from halfcourt during the third quarter to make it 132-105. After the shot swished through the basket, Lillard extended his arms into a full wingspan and walked back toward the defensive end. (Reuters)