Nowitzki, Bosh added to all-star game

Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh and Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki. AP photos

NEW YORK – Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki and Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh highlight the reserves as a number of familiar faces were added to the NBA all-star game on Thursday.

Nowitzki and Bosh were included in the 14 reserves named for the February 16 game in New Orleans.

Four of the players are first-timers while others such as Bosh are making their ninth consecutive all-star appearance. The first-timers are Washington’s John Wall, Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Portland guard and reigning rookie of the year Damian Lillard.

Bosh will be joined in the East’s frontcourt by Indiana’s Roy Hibbert and Chicago’s Joakim Noah, both making their second appearance.

Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson, a six-time all-star with the Hawks, is also part of the Eastern Conference bench.

The West’s reserves include the injured Chris Paul and fellow all-star Tony Parker.

James Harden and Dwight Howard of the Rockets made the squad. Nowitzki had a string of 11 straight all-star appearances end last season.

Injured Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is not expected to play but his replacement was not announced Thursday. Bryant was voted as a starter by NBA fans, despite only playing a handful of games this season.