NBA All-Star Game: West 21, East 10 (midway through first quarter)
Kobe Bryant got the Staples Center crowd going about three minutes into the game when he threw down a reverse after driving the baseline for the West team and later hit a three-pointer.
Bryant leads the West team with nine points.
The other big crowd pleaser early was a Dwight Howard dunk off an alley-oop pass from East teammate Amare Stoudemire, who caught a pass in mid-air and lobbed it to Howard. Stoudemire also dunked for the game's first score and added another in transition.
There were a few boos when the East's LeBron James shot free throws.
The pace was leisurely with, as usual, virtually no defense in an All-Star game.
When East Coach Doc Rivers sent in his four Celtics All-Stars -- Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce -- at the same time there were thunderous boos. A moment later Allen shot an air ball from three-point range that triggered another wave of boos.
--Barry Stavro
Photo: Lakers and West power forward Pau Gasol dunks over Magic and East center Dwight Howard in the first half Sunday at Staples Center. Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
