CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) LeBron James was trading lob passes with Dwyane Wade again, one last time. Catching lobs from former teammate Kyrie Irving once again, too. And after making a stepback 3-pointer late, he stared down Joel Embiid to send a message without saying a word.

Oh, this mattered to James - and Team LeBron as well.

Team LeBron, down by 20 in the second half, finally got firing and went on to beat Team Giannis 178-164 in the All-Star Game on Sunday night. MVP Kevin Durant scored 31 points for Team LeBron, the one that James drafted and led to victory in the captain's-choice format for a second consecutive season.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Midway through the third quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo said he began thinking he had a chance to become the first international player to win the NBA All-Star Game MVP.

But the thought was fleeting, as Team LeBron mounted a rally and came from behind to defeat Team Giannis 178-164 on Sunday night. While Antetokounmpo finished with 38 points and 10 rebounds, Kevin Durant won the award.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Latest on NBA All-Star Weekend (all times local):

10:30 p.m.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Latest on NBA All-Star Weekend (all times local):

9:35 p.m.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Latest on NBA All-Star Weekend (all times local):

8:40 p.m.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Milwaukee has the best record in the NBA, Denver has its coaching staff at the All-Star Game and Sacramento is in position to end the league's longest current playoff drought.

Overseeing a league that has wanted competitive balance, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver likes what he's seeing on those fronts.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) When the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers' Kyle Kuzma, Philadelphia's Ben Simmons and Boston's Jayson Tatum get to the NBA All-Star Game and partake in what's become the preferred run-and-fun style where defense is discouraged at virtually all costs, this much is clear.

They'll be ready.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Paul Westphal says it's an honor these days to have anyone remember that he played basketball.

The Hall of Fame obviously remembers.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The NBA is bringing a pro league to Africa.

The Basketball Africa League, a new collaboration between the NBA and the sport's global governing body FIBA, was announced Saturday. The initial plan is for the 12-team league to begin play in January, and former President Barack Obama is among those who are expected to have direct involvement with the league's plan to keep growing the game in Africa through the league and other initiatives.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans have decided to fire ninth-year general manager Dell Demps and start the process of finding someone to deal with the fallout of All-Star Anthony Davis' recent trade demand.

Demps' dismissal comes after Davis said in late January that he would not sign an extension with New Orleans and wants to be traded to a contending team.