Sunday night's NBA All-Star Game 2017 from New Orleans featured two teams putting up over 350 points and two players combining for nearly 100 points on one team. The Western Conference stars came out on top 192-182 in another exhibition of fast breaks, dunks, and three-point shots. One man reigned supreme as this year's MVP, despite another player's attempt to capture the award a third-straight year. Here's a look at how the All-Star game was won by the West, and some of the biggest stories of the night.
Durant & Westbrook reunited?
The two former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates were back together on the court again.
This time it was Kevin Durant as a member of Golden State teaming up with OKC's Russell Westbrook. After jawing at each other weeks ago in OKC during a nationally-televised NBA game, the Western Conference stars shared the court for several minutes together. In one dazzling fast break, Westbrook dished the ball off to Durant and then headed to the hoop. KD rewarded his former pal with the pass for an ally-oop dunk.
#KevinDurant up top for #RussellWestbrook for #TeamWEST!#NBAAllStar @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/lXDtN6hIfu
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2017
After the play, the West bench had a bit of fun, dousing water on Durant and Westbrook as they all cheered their big highlight moment. While it may not mean the hatchet is totally buried, it was certainly one of the game's special moments after months of drama around the league.
Davis breaks Wilt's record
While Westbrook was putting on a scoring clinic, so was the hometown favorite. Anthony Davis was able to break an all-time single All-Star game scoring record set by Wilt Chamberlain. Davis finished in front of his New Orleans fans with a total of 52 points, which easily helped him capture the All-Star Game MVP Award.
Russell Westbrook finished with 41 points, giving the duo a whopping total of 93 for the West.
Full highlights from #AnthonyDavis' record setting 52 point #NBAAllStar performance!#Pelicans pic.twitter.com/dMcxSvKzOX
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2017
The record broken by Davis was one that had held up for 55 years. Wilt achieved 42 points back in the 1962 edition of the game which is featured in black and white highlight clips.
The record and MVP win in front of his home crowd certainly gave Davis something to smile about as his New Orleans Pelicans team has struggled to contend for a playoff spot in the West.
West outlasts the East
When the NBA All-Star Game 2017 edition was said and done, it was the Western Conference defeating the East 192-182. The betting odds at various sports books had an over/under total of about 350 points for tonight's game, which was easily eclipsed. In fact, the two squads nearly combined for 200 points by halftime.
Leading the way for the Eastern Conference was the "Greek Freak" Giannis Antetokounmpo with 30 points in his first All-Star appearance and start. Kyrie Irving also put up an impressive 22 points and had 14 assists to go with it, while LeBron James finished with 23 points.
Reserve players Isaiah Thomas had 20 points and Kyle Lowry added 19.
That's a wrap from NOLA!#TeamWEST defeats #TeamEAST 192-182.#AnthonyDavis: #NBAAllStar record 52 points! pic.twitter.com/biRu3j8uVF
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2017
For the West, Davis led all scorers with his 52-point performance, followed by Westbrook's 41. Kevin Durant had 21 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, which was a quiet triple-double overshadowed by Davis' record-breaking performance. Other top scorers included Steph Curry with 21 points, while James Harden had 12 points and 12 assists. Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol also added a double-double off the bench, contributing 10 points and snatching 10 boards.