TORONTO, 22 February 2005 — Allen Iverson collected 15 points, 10 assists and five steals to spark the Eastern Conference to a 125-115 win over the Western Conference in the 54th All-Star Game in Denver, Colorado Sunday.
Six other East players were in double figures in a wide-open contest that featured plenty of scoring and little defense. The East ended a three-game winning streak for the West, which had won four of the five previous All-Star games. The East leads the all-time series 34-20.
Iverson was selected the most valuable player, just as he was the last time the East won four years ago. “It feels great,” the Philadelphia 76ers guard said in a courtside interview. “I was kind of tired out here in the thin air.
“I just thank God and my teammates because without them I wouldn’t be here.”
Iverson said he enjoyed All-Star games because he did not face the same double-team coverage he often received when playing for the 76ers.
Jermaine O’Neal of the Indiana Pacers also had 15 points for the East. Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat chipped in with 14 and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers recorded 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
No player scored 20 points, the first time that has happened in an All-Star Game since 1981.
Seattle’s Ray Allen of the West led all players in scoring with 17 points while Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers had 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs picked up 15 points and nine rebounds for the West, which led 33-27 after one quarter but trailed 61-59 at the half. The East carried a 95-89 lead into the fourth quarter and held the advantage throughout the final session.
Shaquille O’Neal returned to the East line-up after being traded by the Lakers to the Heat in the off-season. He had 12 points and six rebounds. O’Neal’s former teammate Bryant was the only player booed in the pre-game introductions. All starters on the floor shook hands before the game, except for O’Neal and Bryant.
