Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 8:00 PM ET at Smoothie King Center
All-Star Game Rewind: East 163, West 155
Scott Agess | February 16, 2014
Game Recap
The NBA’s best gathered in New Orleans this weekend and wrapped up three days of festivities with the 63rd All-Star game. Paul George and Roy Hibbert both made their second All-Star appearances, and Frank Vogel and his coaching staff headed up the Eastern Conference team.
It’s a game that will go down in the history books as the highest-scoring game ever. In typical Vogel style, his team used a big second half — 87 points, while holding the West to 66 — to claim the lead for good en route to a win, which snapped the East All-Stars’ three-game losing streak.
Vogel’s East team jumped in front by nine, 11-2, two minutes into the game but then the West began to chip away at the lead. After missing his first shot, Paul George’s first points came on a step-back jumper. Midway through the first, Hibbert checked in and nailed a 15-foot jumper after just 38 seconds on the court. Blake Griffin had nine field goals and 18 points in the first quarter as the West had a two-point advantage.
The West All-Star team scored 89 first-half points, a new game record, and had a 13-point lead at intermission — which lasted nearly a half-hour.
Though it was an All-Star game, Vogel had to be frustrated with the lack of defense played, as expected. Over the duration of the game, he called a couple of timeouts to regroup and could be heard encouraging defensive effort. Down as many as 18, his East team responded with an 18-3 run over the final four and half minutes of the third quarter. With one period remaining, the West was ahead by three points.
Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, who was named the KIA Most Valuable Player, scored 15 points and dished out four assists in the final quarter. A 3-pointer from Kevin Durant of the Thunder gave the West a two-point edge with two to play. From there, George sank five free throws and the East scored 10 unanswered and came away with the victory in front of a sellout crowd (14,727). From there, George sank five free throws, the East scored 10 unanswered and came away with the victory in front of a sellout crowd (14,727).
The Pacers’ crew returns home on Monday after a very successful weekend in the Big Easy. The East earned a win while both George and Hibbert turned in great performances, George’s trio won the dunk contest on Saturday night and most importantly, no injuries occurred. The team will hold practice early Monday evening, and Vogel is giving his two All-Stars the day off.
Inside the Numbers
A number of All-Star records were broken, including combined point total (318, topping 1987 high of 303), most points by a team (163), and combined makes beyond the arc (30).
Paul George scored 18 points (6-of-12 shooting), one more than last year, and had five rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 33 minutes. Roy Hibbert was an efficient 4-of-5 from the floor for eight points, five rebounds, and two assists in just over 12 minutes of actions.
Carmelo Anthony banged in eight 3-pointers, two more than the previous All-Star record, and had 30 points. Irving finished with 31 points and a game-high 14 assists. LeBron James contributed 22 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin in the West each scored 38 points, four shy of Walt Chamberlain’s individual All-Star record. Durant has scored 30 or more in four consecutive showcases.
Quoteworthy
“I keep trying to tell you guys, great offense beats great defense.” – Frank Vogel
"I'm comfortable at the free throw line. You know, I'm used to knocking down closing three free throws for game. So, (I was) just in my natural spot." -Paul George
"LeBron did a great job of just voicing and being the leader out there, telling guys where to be to set plays up." -Paul George on the East's togetherness in the last few minutes
"I think we turned it up, and nobody can say the East is weak now. The group that we put out there that played tonight bested the West. They're a good team as well, but tonight, the spoils go to the victors, or whatever the saying is." -Roy Hibbert
"I was thinking I'd change it up. It felt good, so I may wear it the rest of the season." -Roy Hibbert on wearing a headband
Stat of the Game
In the final quarter, the East was +11 while shooting 60 percent and holding the West to a 37-percent clip.
Noteworthy
- Indiana coaches are 2-2 when directing the East in All-Star games. Larry Bird (1998) and Vogel both won, while Isiah Thomas (2003) and Rick Carlisle (2004) both came up short.
- Violet Palmer became the first female to officiate a U.S. All-Star game.
- Between the first and second quarter, Magic Johnson led the crowd in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Bill Russell, who turned 80 earlier in the week.
Up Next
The Pacers resume play on Tuesday at home against Atlanta – 7 p.m. EST
