Celtics' Irving breaks out behind-the-back dribble

Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving was back in his bag of tricks, pulling off a stellar dribble at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.

He did so while guarded by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Irving bounced the ball with his left hand in the first half, just outside of the 3-point line on the left side of the court. He brought the ball out wide, looking like he was about to crossover behind his back. Irving even pushed his right hand back to sell the move.

Instead of firing the ball to his other hand, Irving turned his left hand around the basketball and dribbled straight down on his left side, momentarily fooling the Greek Freak. Irving then ran around Antetokounmpo. But the Greek Freak caught up and knocked the ball out of bounds.

Irving scored 13 points and had nine assists in Team LeBron's 148-145 win against Team Stephen. Cleveland Cavaliers star and team captain LeBron James won MVP honors, posting 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Sunday marked Irving's fifth All-Star appearance.

The Celtics star also flashed his sick handles against Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Houston Rockets star James Harden.

While the dribbles were pretty, one of Irving's biggest plays of the night came on an assist to James.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook dribbled into the paint with 38 seconds remaining in the game and his team trailing 145-144. Before reaching the rim, Westbrook faked a pass to James and fired a feed to Irving, who was driving on the baseline. Irving caught the ball and fired it back to James for the go-ahead lay-up.