2012 NBA All-Star Game

2012 NBA All-Star Game /

Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum vie for the opening tip. Bynum exited early with knee soreness.

Photographers swarmed when Howard sat next to and started chatting up Magic owner Richard DeVos.

Kevin Durant, who scored 36 points, was named MVP as the West beat the East 152-149.

LeBron James dunks as Chris Paul watches, a pair of actions not foreign to the All-Star Game.

Blake Griffin rises to one of his many slams.

LeBron and Paul, again, as Bill Russell watches from a courtside seat.

Kobe Bryant passed Michael Jordan as the leading scorer in All-Star history.

Griffin made up for his absence in the dunk contest.

Durant and the West stormed to an 88-69 halftime lead, a record for most points by one team in one half.

LeBron dunks, while Kobe turns his attention to the crowd.

Kobe and LeBron go toe-to-toe.

Kobe lost a little blood after Dwyane Wade popped him in the nose.

Durant skies as Team USA teammates LeBron, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony and Griffin watch in awe.

Wade registered the third triple-double in All-Star history -- 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Russell Westbrook gets in on the gravity-defying action.

Published Feb 27, 2012