Playing in his backyard, Pelicans forward Anthony Davis was named MVP of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game Monday (AEDT) in New Orleans as the Western Conference All-Stars won for the sixth time in the past seven exhibition games with a 192-182 victory.
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Davis' 52 points were the most points in All-Star Game history, breaking Wilt Chamberlain's single-game record of 42 points set in 1962.
Ahead 97-92 at halftime, the Western Conference poured on 47 points in the third quarter alone.
Davis, who had 32 points after the third, told his teammates he wanted to score 50.
"Russell Westbrook told me the [All-Star Game] record was 42," Davis told Turner Sports after the game. "I wanted to do it for the City of New Orleans and the Pelicans organization. I love this city — these guys support us every single night so I wanted to get this for them."
The high-scoring game featured countless scoring records and incredible feats which would be unfathomable in a regular-season game.
With 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Kevin Durant recorded the fourth triple-double in NBA All-Star Game history, joining Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Despite coming off the bench, Westbrook scored 41 points for the Western Conference.
Leading the East was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 30 points thanks to three dunks over Stephen Curry, one of which featured the reigning MVP laying on the court to avoid being posterized.
The 192 points scored by the Western Conference is the scored-most in an All-Star Game, while the East’s 182 are the third-most.
The 374 combined points are the most ever in All-Star Game history.