LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant scored 37 points and Kevin Durant added 34 Sunday, pacing the Western Conference to a 148-143 win over the East in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game.
The Los Angeles Lakers' Bryant went 10-of-18 from field -- including a thundering slam dunk over Miami's LeBron James in the third quarter -- pulled down 14 assists and added three steals for the West, garnering game MVP honors.
Oklahoma City's Durant connected on four 3-pointers in the victory, in which the West led for virtually the entire game. They took advantage of sloppy play by the East with 18 steals, including five by Chris Paul (10 points, seven assists) of New Orleans.
The East, led by James (29 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists), challenged in the fourth quarter, pulling to within two points at 142-140 on his driving layup with 1:12 left.
But Paul and Durant each made a pair of free throws down the stretch to preserve the West's win.
Amare Stoudemire of New York also scored 29 points for the Eastern Conference, which committed 21 turnovers.
