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2021 NBA All-Star Game live: Team LeBron obliterate rivals in one-sided encounter

Team LeBron has secured a comfortable victory in the All-Stars game, and there were no doubts about who would be awarded MVP.

Jai Bednall and Nic Savage
less than 2 min read
March 8, 2021 - 3:12PM
Ben Simmons drafted to Team LeBron in the All-Star draft

Team LeBron has obliterated their hapless opponents in the NBA All-Star Game, racing to a comfortable 170-150 victory at State Farm Arena.

Without captain Kevin Durant and 76ers superstar Joel Embiid, Team Durant lacked the star power to avoid a heavy defeat on Monday afternoon AEDT.

Ben Simmons and Embiid were ruled out of the game after spending time with a barber who later tested positive for COVID-19.

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Kyrie Irving got things off to a flyer, scoring or assisting in seven of his team's opening nine scoring shots.

Meanwhile, LeBron James wasn't afraid to show off, executing an effortless reverse dunk in the first quarter.

READ MORE: NBA rookie ‘robbed’ in Dunk Contest

Golden States Warriors star Steph Curry continued on from where he left off in the three-point contest, sinking some outrageous shots from outside the arc.

However, young gun Zion Williamson was helplessly roasted after his first few dunk attempts didn't quite go to plan.

“Welcome to the big time,” NBA great Reggie Miller sarcastically said in commentary.

Sports reporter Marc D'Amico tweeted: "Zion did not eat his Wheaties this morning."

Team LeBron held a narrow one-point lead going into the first break, but it was all one-way traffic from there out.

LeBron's side raced to 100 points in the second quarter, with Curry registering 6-8 from beyond the arc in the first half.

Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard was also impressive off the bench, with 16 points in the opening two quarters.

American sports broadcaster Skip Bayless tweeted: "Amazing next-level shooting by the two greatest distance shooters this league has ever seen: Steph and Dame. Now they routinely make threes just inside half court that players never before would dared to attempt."

Team Durant's defence was considerably lacking in the second quarter, much to the frustration of several viewers.

At one stage, Giannis Antetokounmpo boasted 16-16 from the field, including three-for-three from beyond the arc.

In fairness, there was little to no defence on display throughout the contest.

The Milwaukee Bucks star was rightfully named MVP for his stellar performance, the first time he has achieved the feat.

With a 21-point advantage leading into the final quarter, Team LeBron cruised towards victory.

Updates

Final quarter underway

Heading into the final quarter, the target score is 170. The first team to reach that tally will be crowned the victors.

After dominating the opening three quarters, Team LeBron boast a 21-point advantage.

Giannis is on fire

Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently 16-16 from the field, including three-for-three from beyond the arc.

In fairness, Team Durant are hardly bothering to guard the Milwaukee Bucks star anymore.

Antetokounmpo is a clear favourite to claim the MVP accolade, but Steph Curry remains a contender at the moment.

Frankly, Team Durant are the considerably weaker side without their namesake on the court.

THIRD QUARTER SCORE

Team LeBron – 46

Team Durant – 45

Anfernee Simons wins Dunk Contest

Portland Trail Blazers star Anfernee Simons has bettered two NBA rookies to win the NBA All-Stars Dunk Contest on Monday afternoon AEDT.

But the first round at State Farm Arena was embroiled in controversy, with viewers baffled by the judges scoring of Indiana Pacers young gun Cassius Stanley.

READ MORE: NBA rookie ‘robbed’ in Dunk Contest

All-Star Game: 2nd quarter

Team LeBron raced to a sizeable lead in the second quarter, accumulating a total 100 points for the game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has managed 24 points thus far, while 3-point contest champion Stephen Curry mustered 22 with his pin-point accurate shooting.

The Golden State Warriors star has 6-8 from beyond the arc.

Damien Lillard has also been impressive off the bench, with 16 points in the first half.

Skip Bayless tweeted: "Amazing next-level shooting by the two greatest distance shooters this league has ever seen: Steph and Dame. Now they routinely make threes just inside half court that players never before would dared to attempt."

Team Durant's defence was considerably lacking in the second quarter, much to the frustration of several viewers.

SECOND QUARTER SCORE

Team LeBron – 60

Team Durant – 41

All-Star Game: 1st quarter

The players made their way onto the court with no spectators to cheer them on.

There was a moment's silence before the game to remember the 2.5 million people who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

After the American national anthem – performed by soul legend Gladys Knight – play got underway at State Farm Arena.

Kyrie Irving scored or assisted in seven of his team's opening nine scoring shoots.

Meanwhile, LeBron James showed off with an effortless reverse dunk.

Steph Curry continued on from where he left off in the three-point contest, sinking some outrageous shots from outside the ring.

However, young gun Zion Williamson was helplessly roasted after his first few dunk attempts didn't quite go to plan.

“Welcome to the big time,” NBA great Reggie Miller said sarcastically in commentary.

Sports reporter Marc D'Amico tweeted: "Zion did not eat his Wheaties this morning."

Team LeBron held a narrow one-point lead going into the first break, with Curry mustering 12 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo managing 11.

FIRST QUARTER SCORE

Team LeBron – 40
Team Durant – 39

Star slams LeBron for 'talking s***'

Donovan Mitchell doesn’t need LeBron James’ approval.

James dissed the Jazz during the All-Star draft selection when remarking on the Utah standouts, Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert, being the last two selections made.

"Just like in video games growing up, we never played with Utah," James said.
“Even as great as Karl Malone and John Stockton was, we would never have picked those guys in video games. Never.”

Team Durant scooped up Mitchell and Team LeBron, perhaps reluctantly, took Gobert.

“I don’t want to be rude, but I really don’t care,” Mitchell said during Sunday’s All-Star availability Zoom call.

“People have been talking s*** about me for a while. We’re not doing this to seek the approval of (James).
“Whether I’m picked last or first, I’m here."

– with The New York Post

Curry clinches 3-point contest

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has won his second NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest, securing victory with his final shot from the corner.

READ MORE: Curry wins dramatic 3-point contest

FIRST ROUND

Steph Curry, Warriors – 31

Mike Conley, Jazz – 28

Jayson Tatum, Celtics – 25

Zach LaVine, Bulls – 22

Donovan Mitchell, Jazz – 22

Jaylen Brown, Celtics – 17

SECOND ROUND

Steph Curry, Warriors – 28

Mike Conley, Jazz – 27

Jayson Tatum, Celtics – 17

All-Stars outfits ruthlessly mocked

The All-Stars are starting to trickle into State Farm Arena, and needless to say, some of their outfits are raising eyebrows.

Nine-time NBA All-Star James Harden copped the most mockery for his expensive raincoat.

Sabonis wins Skills Challenge

Indiana Pacers All-Star Domantas Sabonis has won the Skills Challenge – not that anyone was paying attention.

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