DENVER, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The Western Conference shoots for its fourth straight win in the annual NBA All-Star Game Sunday in Denver.
San Antonio's Tim Duncan, who helped lead the West to a 136-132 victory last year, will be making his seventh appearance in the game. Duncan is joined by Houston's Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, Minnesota's Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant of Los Angeles in the starting lineup.
Garnett will be in his eighth All-Star Game, Bryant in his seventh.
The East's starters are 12-time all-star Shaquille O'Neal of Miami, Orlando's Grant Hill, New Jersey's Vince Carter, Allen Iverson of Philadelphia and LeBron James of Cleveland. Hill is a seven-time all-star.
In last year's game, Duncan scored the go-ahead points late in the game and finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds. O'Neal, a member of the West club last year, was named the game's MVP. He had 24 points and 11 rebounds.
The 2005 contest -- the 54th NBA All-Star Game -- will be played in the Pepsi Center. The game returns to Denver for the first time since 1984.
Gregg Popovich of Santonio coaches the West team. Miami's Stan Van Gundy is coach of the East.
