Kevin Durant stole the spotlight from LeBron James to help orchestrate a stirring 152-149 NBA All-Star Game victory for the Western Conference yesterday that shifted from exhibition to grudge match in the closing stages.
Durant and Miami's James, two of the leading candidates for the regular season MVP Award, matched scoring honours with 36 apiece as they dueled for bragging rights, with the Oklahoma forward doing just enough to win that battle.
"It's a dream come true," game MVP Durant told reporters after enjoying the victory along with his own head coach Scott Brooks and Thunder sidekick Russell Westbrook, who added 21 points.
"It's nerve-wracking [in the final minutes]. All these great players that can make so many big shots. I'm just glad we came out on top."
The West never trailed and led by 20 points with a little more than eight minutes remaining before a furious East rally raised the intensity of the star-studded showcase played out in Orlando's Amway Center.
James made two of his All-Star Game record-tying six three-pointers during a run that saw the East pull within a point with 22 seconds on the clock.
But after Kobe Bryant split a pair of free throws to stretch the lead back to two points, James made a bad cross-court pass that was intercepted by Blake Griffin as the West held on for victory.
The East still had one last chance to tie the game but Dwyane Wade shot an air ball on a three-point attempt as time expired.
"I had a key turnover when we had a chance to win the game. I feel like I let my team down," said James, who also added seven assists and six rebounds to his amazing statistical night. "All in all, it was fun."
Dwight Howard, playing in front of his home crowd, was the focal point heading into the contest but he had a quiet return of nine points and 10 rebounds.
Making his 14th appearance, Bryant also enjoyed a special night by surpassing Michael Jordan as the leading scorer in All-Star Game history.
Bryant had 27 points and now has 271 in total to move ahead of Jordan's 262.
Griffin scored 22 points and caught plenty of spectacular lobs, many of them from Los Angeles Clippers team mate Chris Paul, who added 12 assists.
Wade recorded a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while Deron Williams added 20 points and Carmelo Anthony 19 for the East.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
Book%20Details
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Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
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NEW%20PRICING%20SCHEME%20FOR%20APPLE%20MUSIC%2C%20TV%2B%20AND%20ONE
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