Live Commentary: NBA All-Star Game - as it happened

Hello everyone! Fancy some basketball? Yeah, me too. Well, we've got a treat ahead of us as the best players in the NBA take to the court at Madison Square Garden for the 2015 All-Star Game. It's the Eastern Conference vs. the Western Conference. Who are you backing? Follow all of the action here over the next couple of hours.

The excitement is building in New York ahead of the tip-off at 1.30am. We've got some of the biggest names in the sport on show tonight at the end of a brilliant weekend of exhibition basketball. It promises to be a treat. Three-point kings, powerful dunkers, and magical assists are on the menu. Just don't expect either side to be defending with that much intensity!

There's been plenty of action in New York already this weekend. Zach LaVine triumphed in the slam-dunk contest last night, while Steph Curry edged out teammate Klay Thompson to take home the three-point contest title. The two Golden State Warriors guards are just two of the players who will be taking centre stage tonight.

The #NBAAllStarNYC teams hit the floor to warmup for tonight's @nbaallstar game @nbaontnt. https://t.co/ywMUZFRepE — NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2015

We've never seen injuries hit the All-Star game as much as they have done this year. Kobe Bryant, Anthony Davis, Dwyane Wade and Blake Griffin have been ruled out, but each have been replaced by another star of the sport.

EASTERN CONFERENCE: Lowry, Wall, James, Anthony, P. Gasol
BENCH: Butler, Bosh, Horford, Korver, Millsap, Teague, Irving

Presenting the Eastern Conference #NBAAllStarNYC team! pic.twitter.com/J2ebBTxpte — NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2015

WESTERN CONFERENCE: Curry, Thompson, Harden, M. Gasol, Aldridge
BENCH: Lillard, Durant, Westbrook, Duncan, Paul, Cousins, Nowitzki

Presenting the Western Conference #NBAAllStarNYC team! pic.twitter.com/FKszJxFWwF

— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2015

Christina Aguilera is currently on stage performing, so let's hope that's a sign that the players are on their way. You've got to give it to the NBA. They know how to make this weekend special, unless you're not a fan of Miss Aguilera.

Don't worry, it gets better! Nas is next up on stage as the build-up to the game continues. We're around 15 minutes away from the action. Tonight we will be seeing six first-time All-Stars. (Lowry, Cousins, Thompson, Korver, Teague, Butler)

Eastern coach Mike Budenholzer and West coach Steve Kerr are introduced to the crowd, while there's also a word for both Wade and Davis, who have been in the city all weekend, despite their injuries. The players will now join them on stage.

These two teams will want the win tonight. It's an exhibition game, and the first aim will be to put on an exciting show, but the players will want bragging rights for the next 12 months. The East claimed a 163-155 victory in 2014, with Kyrie Irving being named MVP. As you can see from that scoreline, defense is not high on the list of priorities.

Gasol vs. Gasol is one the most intriguing storylines tonight. Chicago's Pau takes on his brother Marc, who has been excellent for the Memphis Grizzlies this season. They are the first brothers to play in the same All-Star game.

Both teams have been announced, and we're just a few minutes away from the tip-off. There was a brilliant reception for Carmelo Anthony, who is on his home court tonight. The New York Knicks forward could play a minimal role tonight due to a knee problem.

Singer Tamia, who is married to seven-time All-Star Grant Hill, is here to sing the Canadian national anthem. Queen Latifah will sing the American anthem. We're almost there guys. The basketball is coming, I promise.

PREDICTION: You can't really predict anything ahead of the All-Star game, but let's have a go. The Western Conference may be stronger in the regular season, but that doesn't matter too much tonight. However, I'm going for them this evening. Shall we say 147-132? I'll back Russell Westbrook to take home the MVP award. Those dunks are certain to catch the eye!

The big names aren't just on the court tonight. We've already seen the likes of Chris Tucker, Nas, Spike Lee and former president Bill Clinton in the crowd. You could fill a hall of fame class with the amount of NBA legends here, too.

The players are taking their final few shots on court before the tip-off. Anthony is back out on court to thank the fans for their support before the start of the game. He's been the host throughout the weekend.

Here we go then. Kerr and Budenholzer have a final few words with their respective sides, and we're ready for the action to begin. Play!

Wow! That's how you start an All-Star game. Wall with the pass and James launches himself up to throw down the dunk before coming down the court for another moments later.

Harden gets the West on the board with the game's first three, and he decides to repeat the trick from the right side. Wall comes back with a lovely spin move to level the scores just before the 10-minute mark.

Wall's run of scoring or assisting on eight successive points comes to an end when James charges through the middle to throw down his third dunk! It looks like he fancies taking home the MVP award tonight. The defense is almost laughable until Gasol blocks Thompson's three-point effort.

James and Wall are enjoying each other's company out there as the four-time MVP sets up the Wizards point guard for the dunk off the alley-oop. Harden looks in the mood, too, as he finds space for the dunk. Marc Gasol wants to get involved, too. Big dunk from the Spaniard!

Someone put LeBron, out! He pulls up for the three-pointer and he returns to do the same just a few seconds later. He has 12 points already. West lead by one midway through the opening quarter.

Oh dear. It was all going too well! Wall sets up James for the alley-oop, but he can only smash the ball against the rim. It's time to fear the beard. Harden finds another three before the first timeout of the night is taken. James has 10 points, Harden has 11.

The West went into that timeout on a 12-0 run thanks to some great work on the perimeter by Harden and Thompson. Those two are lethal from out there. James has to fight the urge to smile when he returns with another three, but Thompson respond with one of his own. The changes have started. Westbrook, Horford and Duncan all on. The coaches will rotate quickly.

Reigning MVP Kevin Durant comes on to miss a three moments after Harden had stormed through the middle with another dunk off a Curry assist. All four players from the Atlanta Hawks are on the court. What an achievement from that team.

Korver commits the first foul of the night on Westbrook, who almost can't believe it as he nets the two free-throws. Most of the action is coming from three-point range as Korver drains a couple of threes.

Westbrook wants me to be right! My pick for MVP stuns the crowd with an explosive dunk, but Korver has the East bench applauding with another three-point effort. Westbrook's reply? A big alley-oop dunk. Less than a minute left in the opening quarter.

END OF 1ST QUARTER: EAST 36-47 WEST: Lillard misses from three-point range, before the East's Korver does the same at the other end. One for the blooper collection next as Westbrook hits the rim with the dunk. However, he does manage to get the next one in before time runs out. James has 15 points, Westbrook with 12.

Add another 3 for korver #JustKorverBeingKorver #NBAAllStarNYC

— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2015

You may have seen that stat about James and the all-time points scorers in the All-Star game. Well, he's now up to second behind Kobe Bryant.

Westbrook drains the three from down town! You can't beat that. Well, he can repeat it though and he does so a couple of moments later. Not three times, though. What? It's three in 30 seconds from the Thunder guard! Cousins, Butler and Bosh are in the game.

Westbrook is putting on a show as he rises to throw down the dunk from Paul's clever alley-oop pass after he had stolen the ball in mid-court. There's threes coming from everywhere as Korver does his stuff again.

It's the West who are dominating at the moment. Westbrook already has 23 points after that crazy spell. There's just over eight-and-a-half minutes remaining in the first half as another timeout is taken.

Butler scores his second dunk of the night. A sloppy inbound pass from Bosh is intercepted by Lillard, who has already failed with a couple of dunks. Westbrook breaks the first-half scoring record by reaching 25 with an easy lay-up.

Melo! The crowd love to the see the Knicks star finish the three. Paul escapes the attention of a couple of defender to find Aldridge at the other end, and the Blazers forwards sends down the jumper. Melo is involved again as he blocks a dunk from Lillard. Just under six left in the second quarter.

The Splash Brothers, Curry and Thompson, are back in the game. Curry and Nowitzki from three-point range, and James storms down the other end with the lay-up for the East. Gasol then executes a lovely hook shot as the East continue to look for a way back in the game. Wall finishes the dunk when Kyle Lowry uses the backboard for the pass. What a move!

Thompson and Curry are the guys celebrating when Nowitzki throws down the dunk off the latter's pass. They enjoyed that one. Wall has been excellent so far for the East, and he's on target again from beyond the perimeter. Lowry decides to get involved with a dunk. You don't see that from him very often.

Dirk tells Marc to play harder D on his brother #NBAAllStarNYC — NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2015

Curry is lethal when he's given room, and the lay-up is perfect from the Warriors ace. Horford gets on the board at the other end for the East. The three-point efforts are slowing down, but the big men are starting to enjoy themselves. The Gasols, Horford and Nowitzki are all on. Just over a minute remaining in the first half.

HALF-TIME: EAST 82-83 WEST: Some good movement from the East ends with Irving sending down the long two. The West finish the first half with the ball, but Harden can't convert with the jump. It's turning into a close one in New York.

James has played a key role in getting the East back into the game. He has 22 points, but Westbrook has been the star for the West with 27 points in just 11 minutes. That's pretty special! Ariana Grande will be performing during the interval An upgrade on Christina Aguilera? I'll let you lot decide.

The 165 points scored in the first half ties the record in an All-Star game. Ariana Grande is already up there doing her thing, but who's been the star so far? James has been brilliant for the East, while Westbrook is leading all scorers. Wall, Curry and Harden have all caught the eye, too.

The Thunder certainly know who they want to pick up the MVP award tonight!

Got anybody in mind for All-Star MVP? Vote @ beginning of 4th qtr. Tweet player's last name using #KiaAllStarMVP @Kia pic.twitter.com/L6hgjtah9H — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 16, 2015

These guys may be in action tonight, but it's a rare break for everyone else in the NBA. Sports Mole recently took a look at the key talking points heading into the latter stages of the regular season. Make sure you have a read during the interval.

There's been some excellent offense on show from both sides, and the dunks and three-pointers have delighted the crowd so far. I wouldn't be surprised if more records are broken in the second half.

If you've not followed an All-Star game before, it's pretty much all attack, but if the game is close in the final few minutes we could see the intensity levels rise. These guys can't afford to put their bodies on the line with so much of the season remaining, that's for sure.

I don't know why, but there's no getting around it. This picture is funny.

Just bumped into Ben Stiller at the #AllStar2015 pic.twitter.com/2QMn1IoVIb — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar(@kaj33) February 16, 2015

The players are ready for the second half, so let's get back to the action. It's the men from the West who currently hold an 83-82 lead.

Aldridge starts the scoring with the jumper for two, and he follows that with another effort from three-point range. He reaches 18 points with another one from downtown! Great stuff from the Blazers forward.

Anthony has already reached the 17-minute mark, which suggests his knee is feeling pretty good. Curry is too strong with the alley-oop pass to Aldridge, who can't finish. It's been a bit sloppy early in the third. Lowry drains the three to level the scores.

Wow! James caps an 11-0 run for the East with a stunning backwards dunk off the pass from Lowry. It doesn't get much better than that. He's the best player in the game, so don't be surprised if he's MVP again tonight.

Harden connects with the three from the right of the perimeter, before tipping in Thompson's failed attempt. There's definitely a lot more defense being played now as Harden sends down another long three. He's in the MVP race both here and in the regular season. Just over six minutes remaining in the third.

James executes the perfect behind-the-back pass to Anthony, who throws down the two-handed dunk to brings gasps from the MSG crowd. Teague finds the space to hit the three, before Thompson puts the West back up by four.

Steph Curry takes us to a timeout with an impossible looking lay-up after leaving a couple of defender perplexed with his dribbling skills.

Korver takes the pass from James, what next? You guessed it. The Hawks guard sinks the three once again. Westbrook is back into the game with Thunder teammate Durant. It's very back and forth at the moment.

Westbrook with the angry stare after throwing down another dunk off the pass from Paul. That was dangerous! He rubs his head after hitting it on the backboard. You won't find a more explosive player in the NBA. A three at the other end from Teague hands the lead to the East.

Westbrook comes back from the next timeout with another dunk, and he follows that up with a steal and ANOTHER dunk! He has 33 points in 14 minutes. Cousins is fouled and he sinks one of the two free-throws. Durant gets his first field goal of the night from three-point range. Just under two minutes remaining.

END OF THIRD QUARTER: EAST 122-122 WEST: Great move from Teague as he finishes with the dunk off a clever dribble move. Korver does what Korver does by sending in another three from the corner. Horford finishes the third quarter by catching the rebound and dunking to tie the game.

We could see a record broken tonight. The most points scored in All-Star game is 42. Westbrook currently has 33 for the Western Conference. With the scores level, we could see the quality on defense rise late on.

The East move the ball around well. Korver surprisingly misses the open three, but Bosh cleans up at the rim to throw down the dunk. Cousins does the same at the other end after Lillard's miss.

Lillard and Millsap trade threes as these two sides continue to stay close to each other. Paul uses the space to finish with the easy lay-up, before Bosh levels the scores again. We could be in for a very close finish.

Korver...three! That's his seventh of the night. Lillard hits back with another of his own, and Westbrook sends the game to a timeout with a three from the right. The West lead by three. Westbrook has 36 points.

Chris Paul already has 12 assists tonight for the West. James is back on the court for the East, but he can't stop Cousins dunking on transition. There's definitely better defense playing now. Both sides want the win. Bosh hits the three to reduce the deficit and James earns the lead for his side with a three of his own.

Cousins finishes the lay-up and converts the and-one after being fouled by Anthony. There's screens being set, people are trying to block shots. It feels like a very different game now. Paul edges the West further ahead before Duncan throws down the dunk. Last year's All-Star MVP drains the three.

James is too quick for Paul as he sprints away to dunk with ease. Westbrook has been excellent all night, but even the best put up an air ball every now and then. The West lead by three with 5:22 remaining.

Chris Paul's son meeting the former president. Is he talking to him about economic policy? Or about his dad's basketball ability? You're right, probably the latter.

President @billclinton greets Lil @CP3! #NBAAllStarNYC pic.twitter.com/bzPUcQ6v2W

— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2015

Easy for the intimidating Cousins as he finishes from inside the paint. Irving comes forward for the East with some superb dribbling ability before the lay-up. He then manages to score after taking contact from Aldridge. The free throw is good for the three-point play. It's level again.

Harden teases James on the perimeter before pulling up to drain the three-pointer. Curry takes on the three in transition, but he's off target. 3:27 remaining.

James goes to the line with his side trailing by seven. The four-time regular season MVP returns after a short timeout to hit one of two free-throws. Gasol tips the ball back to Paul after a miss. The Clippers point guard finds Westbrook, who hits the three. That's 39 points for him. Anthony reduces the deficit to seven.

Harden has had a fine game, and he finds the room on the right side to hit another three. Some good defense sess Harden run out of time on the next play. Less than a minute remains.

Anthony hits the three to keep this match alive. There's a few jeers when Paul slows the game down. The East get the ball back to reduce the deficit through Gasol, and a timeout is called with just over two seconds remaining.

RESULT: WEST 163-158 EAST: It's all over at Madison Square Garden. The Western Conference triumph as Westbrook finishes the game by hitting two free-throws after being fouled. He leads all scorers with 41. That's one short of the record set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962. We've seen it all tonight. Dunks, threes, and even some good defense late on.

Westbrook had 41 for the Western Conference, and Harden managed to add 29 points of his own. Paul was influential, too, with 12 points and 15 assists. James led the way for the East with 30 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Korver hit seven threes for 21 on his first All-Star appearance.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is on the court for the post-game presentation, and it's Oklahoma's Russell Westbrook who is named the MVP. No surprises there. We've been treated to some fantastic basketball, but he stole the show with a few incredible plays.

Scoring 41, @russwest44 is named #KiaAllStarMVP! #NBAAllStarNYC pic.twitter.com/cilZ4mI0PJ — NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2015

So, the Western Conference claims bragging rights for the next 12 months thanks to a 163-158 victory in New York. That's all from our live coverage. Thanks for following the game with Sports Mole. Goodbye.