Jones back for 3-point title defense

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NEW YORK, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- James Jones has signed on to try to defend his 3-point shooting title during this year's NBA All-Star weekend, the league said Thursday.

Jones, a Miami Heat guard, won the 3-point title last year in Los Angeles by scoring 20 points in the final round to defeat Boston's Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in the final round. Pierce won the contest in 2010.

Competing against Jones this year will be Miami's Mario Chalmers, Atlanta Joe Jackson, Minnesota's Kevin Love, New Jersey's Anthony Morris and Orlando's Ryan Anderson.

The dunk contest will feature Indiana's Paul George, Minnesota's Derrick Williams, Houston's Chase Budinger and Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks. Last year's champion -- Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers -- said he wouldn't participate this year.

The NBA said Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and Orlando's Dwight Howard will coach the celebrity basketball game that is part of the weekend's events. Former NBA players Mitch Richmond, Penny Hardaway and Nick Anderson along with 2011 WNBA most valuable player Tamika Catchings will appear in the celebrity game.

Non-basketball celebrities expected for the game include "Jersey Shore" cast member Vinny Guadagnino, Grammy Award winner Ne-Yo and "Grey's Anatomy" star Jesse Williams.

The NBA All-Star weekend celebrity game is set for Feb. 24, with the 3-point shooting and dunk contests on Feb. 25. The NBA All-Star Game will be Feb. 26 in Orlando, Fla.