ATLANTA, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- In a game devoted to Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett emerged as the hero by scoring the first seven points of the second overtime period Sunday night, boosting the West to a 155-145 victory over the East in the NBA's All-Star Game.
Jordan, who has said he is playing the final season of his legendary career, was honored with an unexpected starting berth, was the subject of a halftime tribute and then hit what appeared to be the game-winning shot with 4.8 seconds remaining in the first overtime.
That shot gave the East a 138-136 lead, but Jermaine O'Neal was called for a foul on Kobe Bryant as the Los Angeles Lakers' superstar attempted a wild three-point shot with a second remaining. Given three foul shots, Bryant made the first, missed the second and made the third to bring about the first double overtime game in the event's history.
Garnett then converted a three-point play to open the second extra period and made two more jumpers to give the West a 145-138 lead. The East came no closer than five the rest of the way.
Garnett was named the game's MVP after a 37-point performance. The Minnesota sensation hit 17 of 24 from the field and all three of his free throws in addition to pulling down nine rebounds and making five steals.
Jordan was not voted into the starting lineup this year and turned down offers by Indiana's O'Neal and Orlando's Tracey McGrady to take their starting spots.
Toronto's Vince Carter, however, finally talked Jordan into starting berth just moments before the game.
"It was very gracious of him," Jordan said. "It was very respectful of him. The guys were demanding that I get to start."
Jordan, however, missed his first seven shots and even failed on a dunk attempt in the first period. He wound up making nine of 27 shots from the field and scored 20 points. Jordan also missed three shots in the final 3:30 of regulation, during which the West rallied from a 10-point deficit to force a 120-120 tie.
Two free throws by Bryant with 12 seconds left in regulation tied the game and Jordan then missed a chance to give the East the win at the buzzer.
In the first overtime, the West raced to a seven-point lead, but Jason Kidd and McGrady teamed to produce eight straight points to give the East the lead at 136-135. Shaquille O'Neal was then fouled with 23.1 seconds to play and he made one of two free throws to tie the game.
That led to what appeared to be a fitting conclusion to the contest when Jordan threw up a shot from the right corner over the outstretch arm of Shawn Marion, putting the East in front by two.
"It was a tough shot, a high shot, and it went in," Jordan said. "I thought it was the game-winner, but anything can happen in an NBA game and it did.
"It was double overtime, we lost and it was fun. I got a chance to enjoy some good, young company tonight."
Jordan sat out the entire second overtime. When East Coach Isiah Thomas asked Jordan early in the second extra period if he wanted to return to action, Jordan declined. He played 34 minutes.
Allen Iverson led the East with 35 points and McGrady had 29.
