Four-time captain for the NBA All-Star Game and four-time winner.
LeBron James and his conference team won the All-Star Game on Sunday, March 7, against "Team Kevin Durant" (170-150).
Giannis Antetokounmpo's high-flying match (35 points, 0 missed shot) earned him an MVP designation.
Antetokounmpo, who was not captain this year, after two previous editions where he was in this title opposed to James, finished with 35 points.
He especially enjoyed himself under the panels where he took advantage of the large boulevards to dunk at leisure, while being very skilful behind the arch with a 3/3.
So much so that he made a perfect copy: 16 out of 16 on shots.
This 100% on as many attempts is a first in an All-Star Game.
The previous record in this matter was owned by Hal Greer, who achieved an 8/8 in 1968.
Enjoy every moment🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/GsNxjkM20Z
- Giannis Ugo Antetokounmpo (@ Giannis_An34) March 8, 2021
LeBron James, very economical (4 pts, 4 assists in 13 min), could be satisfied to have selected him, since in the wake of the performance of the "Greek Freak", he remains undefeated in four captains of the "All -Star Game ".
A clear domination of the West
Unlike last year when the team he had made up had the last word against "Team Giannis" at the end of an opposition to suspense and increasing intensity, this time there is no had photo.
His teammates first won the first three quarters (40-39, 60-41, 46-45), for which there was a stake, since the team that won in each of these periods won 200 000 dollars to donate to the charity of your choice (100
000 dollars for the losing team).
# TeamLeBron👑 does it again !!
YES SIR!!!
Congrats MVP @ Giannis_An34 👏🏾🙏🏾
- LeBron James (@KingJames) March 8, 2021
Then, at 146-125, the last quarter consisted of reaching 170 points, synonymous with final victory, with no time limit.
Indeed, in accordance with the new regulations put in place during the previous edition, 24 points (in tribute to the jersey number of Kobe Bryant, tragically disappeared in January 2020) are added to the total of the leading team, in order to determine the total to be achieved.
What "Team LeBron", which therefore had only 24 pawns to register, managed without difficulty against a "Team Durant" held to score 45 to hope to win.
Stephen Curry wins three-point contest
A task all the more complicated, despite Bradley Beal (26 pts) and Kyrie Irving (24 pts), as opposite were Stephen Curry (28 pts) and Damian Lillard (32 pts), who would have just as well deserved to lift MVP's Kobe Bryant trophy.
The leader of Golden State, who had already had a good evening by winning the three-point shooting contest before the game, and that of Portland had fun chaining the banderillas, each planting eight (at 50% success ).
☔ Dame & Steph ☔
Damian Lillard: 32 PTS, 8x 3PM
Stephen Curry: 28 PTS, 8x 3PM
The #TeamLeBron wins 170-150 in Atlanta!
#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/n5wRaArcyP
- NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) March 8, 2021
And if they hurt their opponents, their show was above all akin to a duel of skill between teammates, one responding to the feat of the other.
All while moving back more and more with each attempt, with the arrival, a match all the more drawed as the two players scored twice each from the middle line, as if it was that of the free throws.
As such, they were the biggest providers of a show that was not always there and rather stingy in brilliant actions that one is entitled to expect for this kind of exhibition.
However, we will have noted this rather rare sequence where Curry (1.91 m) and Lillard (1.88 m), again them, but also Chris Paul (1.85 m), all three not used to the exercise given their size. , had fun offering each other alley-oop (passes caught in the air for the dunk).
Rudy.
🌟
For his 2nd selection #NBAAllStar, Rudy Gobert compiles 10 PTS, 7 REB in 14 minutes of play. # TeamLeBron pic.twitter.com/dRJzFg5a7P
- NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) March 8, 2021
In the middle of the "little ones", the French pivot Rudy Gobert (2.16 m), of which it was the second consecutive "ASG", had his small share, with 10 points and 7 rebounds to his credit.
He too has been sent to the alley-oop several times, notably by LeBron James who had chosen him last when composing his team.
Covid-19 requires, this 70th All-Star Game took place in an almost closed session (some 1,500 guests) in Atlanta, where two players had to stay at their hotel, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, finally excluded from the festivities for having been in contact with a hairdresser who tested positive.
With AFP
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