The 2019 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte, North Carolina was as a closely competitive – starting midway through the third quarter — game that saw Team LeBron take the game 178-164. This year’s game was the second year of the league’s new format where the top vote-getter from each conference acted as team captains and got the chance to pick their squads.
Team LeBron featured Kawhi Leonard, Ben Simmons, James Harden, Kevin Durant and an injured Anthony Davis who played only five minutes in the game due to a shoulder injury from before the All-Star Break.
Adding intrigue to Team LeBron is the fact that four members of the team will be free agents at the end of the season including Leonard, Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson along with the aforementioned Davis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s was team highlighted by Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Paul George, and his Bucks teammate Khris Middleton came into the game as an interesting matchup against James’ team stacked with shooters.
Team LeBron ended the game with 90 3-point attempts, making 38 percent of them.
The game began like most All-Star games would, with defense from both teams left at home. Team Giannis scored 53 points in the first quarter alone. Team LeBron would answer back with a 45-point second quarter.
King James coast to coast ?#TeamLeBron pic.twitter.com/vPEEZvGBJZ
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) February 18, 2019
The NBA honored Dwayne Wade and Dirk Nowitzki, players possibly in their respective final seasons, at mid-court with framed All-Star jerseys.
#NBAAllStar legends #DwyaneWade and #DirkNowitzki receiving their 2019 all star jerseys pic.twitter.com/17FZIGEMwF
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) February 18, 2019
Antetokounmpo wowed in the first quarter with efficient scoring and remarkable dunks; he led all scorers with 39 points and 11 rebounds at the end of the game.
IT'S GETTING FREAKY IN CHARLOTTE!!!!#TeamGiannis pic.twitter.com/d0lrOfH5V7
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) February 18, 2019
Steph and Giannis back at it again!#TeamGiannis pic.twitter.com/8RgCTASTZx
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) February 18, 2019
Three minutes into the third Team Giannis led Team LeBron 109-89 before Team LeBron would go on a 38-18 mid-third quarter to eventually tie the game at 127 apiece led by four-time All-Star Damian Lillard.
IT'S DAME TIME IN CHARLOTTE ?#TeamLeBron pic.twitter.com/GsNX0iicUv
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) February 18, 2019
Lillard, along with Bradley Beal, would hit three three-pointers apiece in the third quarter to cut into Team Giannis’ lead.
The team would take a 132-130 lead into the fourth quarter – their first of the game. With about seven minutes left and the game tied at 153, the defense would pick up, and Team LeBron would take control. James’ team would take a double-digit lead using a 15-5 scoring run – their biggest of the game – with three minutes left in the game.
Your 2019 #NBAAllStar MVP#KevinDurant pic.twitter.com/KGEwdJG825
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) February 18, 2019
Defense and fourth quarter scoring from Durant all but sealed the comeback effort from Team LeBron granting Right Moves for Youth $350,000. Durant’s effort, 31 points and 6-9 from deep, won him honors as All-Star game MVP.
