By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun
ANKARA (AA) – Team LeBron rallied to win Sunday's All-Star Game in Charlotte's Spectrum Center against Team Giannis 178-164 after going down as much as 20 points in the third quarter.
Kevin Durant — who was named KIA All-Star MVP — carried his team with 31 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the field.
Team Giannis, captained by Milwaukee Bucks' Greek player Giannis Antetokounmpo, got the early lead in the game with 53-37 after the first quarter.
Giannis and co. got the upper hand after the first half ended: 95-82. However, fueled by Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal, the Team LeBron made it a close game with a 18-4 run in the third quarter.
Team LeBron opened up a 10-point lead with 5 minutes to go in the game, that was when Kevin Durant did not let Team Giannis come close.
Durant now scored 30 or more points in four different All-Star games, first player ever to do it in NBA's history.
Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 38 points on 17-for-23 shooting, adding 11 rebounds and five assists. Dirk Nowitzki — who was specially added to the roster with Dwyane Wade — scored 9 points on 3-of-3 three pointers.
Grammy-nominated artist Janelle Monae performed from the AT&T Pregame Concert, rapper Jermaine Lamar Cole — known as J. Cole — performed at the half time of the match.
