TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

East Atones For Last Year's All-Star Rout

ADVERTISEMENT

By TOM WITHERS, The Associated Press

Published: February 18, 2008

NEW ORLEANS - In a proud city still restoring its unique beauty, the Eastern Conference repaired its own image.

Ray Allen scored 28 points, making three straight 3-pointers in the final 3:15, and LeBron James added 27 as the East, widely considered the NBA's weaker half, beat the Western Conference 134-128 in Sunday night's All-Star Game.

Last year, the West humiliated the East in a 153-132 rout in Las Vegas when Kobe Bryant and Co. rewrote the event's record books. However, this time led by Allen's 14 fourth-quarter points and a stunning dunk by James with 55 seconds left, the East salvaged some pride and can return to the season's second half with bragging rights.

James, who added nine assists and eight rebounds, was the MVP for the second time in three years. He also won the honor in 2006.

First-time All-Star Brandon Roy of Portland, Carmelo Anthony of Denver and Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix led the West with 18 points each.

Lakers star Kobe Bryant played only the first three minutes and headed to the bench to rest his right pinkie, which has a torn ligament. He quickly had his hand wrapped in ice and threw on a sweatsuit.

The East raced to an 18-7 lead on the second of Toronto forward Chris Bosh's two straight dunks about 5 minutes in.

The game capped a successful weekend in New Orleans, where NBA players joined thousands of volunteers Friday for a day of community service projects at 10 sites throughout the city. All-Star weekend was expected to bring an estimated $90 million to the city, still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT