NBA All-Star Game Live Blog: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant Set To Square Off in ... - NESN.com (blog)

8 a.m. ET: With all of buzz around "Linsanity" in the Rising Stars Challenge and the acrobatics of the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest behind us, we can finally focus on the main event of the weekend: the NBA All-Star Game. The best players and biggest names all come together tonight as the Eastern All-Stars take on the Western All-Stars. As one would expect, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard are amongst the Eastern's top players. Joining them are Carmelo Anthony and the 2010-11 NBA MVP, Derrick Rose.

Kobe Bryant makes roughly his 409th All-Star Game appearance (actually his 14th) for the Western Conference. He is joined by fellow Los Angeles Laker Andrew Bynum and cross-town rivals Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Kevin Durant fills out the final spot in the starting lineup.

The Boston Celtics are represented by two players in this year's All-Star Game. Paul Pierce will make his 10th appearance and Rajon Rondo will make his third. Rondo was added at the last minute as the Hawks' Joe Johnson had to opt out with a knee injury.

Be sure to tune in for all of the action and coverage as the 2012 NBA All-Star Game tips off at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

26 Feb, 2012