Western Conference's Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, hoists the Most Valuable Player trophy following the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. The Western Conference won 152-149. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
ORLANDO – Kevin Durant scored 36 points as Team West held on to beat Team East 152-149 in the 61st NBA All-Star Game on a night when Kobe Bryant broke Michael Jordan’s career points record.
Durant, who was named most valuable player of the game, shot 14 of 25 from the field and finished with seven rebounds and three assists for the West at the Amway Center arena.
“This is a dream come true,” Durant said. “These guys fed me the ball I am glad to be taking this trophy (MVP) back to Oklahoma City.
“I am happy I got MVP. Everything has been fun this weekend I am glad we came out on top.”
The three-time all-star Durant got offensive support from teammates Blake Griffin, who had 22 points and eight rebounds, and Bryant who finished with 27 points to surpass Jordan for the most career all-star points.
Four-time all-star MVP Bryant vaulted past Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar before getting the record-setting points. He passed Jordan’s previous mark of 262 points by finishing off a dunk in the third quarter.
Bryant was making his 14th straight all-star appearance which tied him with Jerry West, Karl Malone, and former Laker teammate Shaquille O’Neal for the most consecutive all-star berths in league history.
In last year’s showcase in Los Angeles, hometown hero Bryant scored 37 points in the West’s 148-143 win over the East at Staples Center arena.
Eight-time all-star LeBron James finished with 36 points, seven assists and six three pointers for the East who rallied in the fourth to make a game of it on Sunday.
The West had a commanding 88-69 point lead at the half and led 124-112 at the end of the third but the East, behind the three-point shooting of James, who made six of eight attempts from beyond the arc, battled back.
Deron Williams and Dwyane Wade both missed three-point attempts in the final seconds that could have given the East a lead or sent the game into overtime.
“They beat us up all game and we wanted to make a game out of it,” James said of the late rally. “I had a key turnover when we had opportunity to tie the game and so I am mad about that.
“But it was a great weekend. All-star weekend was a great success and I am happy to be a part of it.”
James was the MVP of the 2006 and 2008 all-star games and he was playing alongside Miami Heat teammate Wade who was MVP in 2010. Wade finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the East.