LeBron's Team Defeats Curry's Team in All-Star Game
With a legendary basket by Russell Westbrook and a strong defense in the final 10 seconds, LeBron James' team defeated Stephen Curry's team in the All-Star Game on Sunday with a score of 148-145.
After being behind for most of the game, LeBron's team sparked a comeback with Westbrook's spectacular basket, sealing the score with 10.7 seconds left.
Curry and his team had ended the third quarter leading 112-109, thanks to 17 points from Klay Thompson and 17 points with 9 rebounds from Dominican player Karl-Anthony Towns. On LeBron's team, the captain himself led the offense with 19 points and 9 rebounds up until that point.
The starting lineup for LeBron's team, alongside the captain, included stars Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics), Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).
Meanwhile, Curry's team added their captain James Harden (Houston Rockets), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Greek player Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), and Cameroonian player Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers).
The 67th edition of the All-Star Game took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and was broadcast in over 200 countries and territories in 50 languages through international television and digital platforms of the League.
- LeBron Named MVP of the Classic Again -
LeBron received the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the game, his third award of this kind in his 14th All-Star Game.
LeBron showed his skills with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.
"The game was won through a defensive play. It was something important and decisive in the game. We have the best League in the world and we are very grateful for that," LeBron said when he received the award.
Curry's team also ended the first quarter leading 42-31, thanks to 11 points from Towns. For LeBron's Team, the best player in that period was Anthony Davis with 6 points.
LeBron's team started the second quarter with a 17-2 offensive run, including two three-pointers from LeBron and one from Kevin Durant, narrowing the gap to 52-51 with six minutes left in the half.
Klay Thompson ended the first half with 15 points, guiding Curry's team to a halftime advantage of 78-76.
On the other side, LeBron led his team in that period with 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Westbrook supported him with 7 assists.
The mid-season classic featured a new format with LeBron and Curry as team captains, leaving behind the traditional East vs West challenge.
LeBron, from the Cleveland Cavaliers and four-time League MVP, and Curry, from the champion Golden State Warriors, were chosen as captains based on fan voting.
The new format was motivated by the lack of interest shown by players in previous editions.
Many thought that last year's game - won by the West 192-182 - was a kind of farce, in which players barely moved on defense.
The new format brought some competition this time, with teammates playing against each other.