The West defeated the East 152-149 in the 2012 NBA All-Star game on Sunday night, and Kevin Durant's efforts were a big reason why. Durant scored 36 points on 14-25 shooting, including 3-8 shooting from beyond the arc. His fine play helped the West build a big lead on the East at the half, which the West carried into the fourth quarter.
Related: Complete coverage of the 2012 NBA All-Star weekend.
Durant was not much of a factor in the scoring in the fourth quarter, however, and the East managed to claw back into the game thanks to a hot-shooting LeBron James, among others. James also finished the night with 36 points and probably would have captured MVP honors himself had the East prevailed.
Kobe Bryant scored 27 for the West, while Dwyane Wade had a triple-double for the East.
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