NBA All-Star Game: West 21, East 10 (midway through first quarter)
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
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
