1990 NBA All-Star Game - East 130, West 113

The 40th NBA All-Star Game took place on February 11, 1990, at Miami Arena in Miami, Florida. Before 14,810 spectators, the Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 130-113. Despite the Eastern Conference victory, Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson was named the game's Most Valuable Player after scoring a game-high 22 points, including four three-pointers.

Johnson's selection was unusual because the MVP award went to a player from the losing conference. He made nine of his 15 field goal attempts, including four of six shots from beyond the three-point line. Johnson also collected six rebounds, distributed four assists and blocked one shot in 25 minutes. It was his second NBA All-Star Game MVP award, following his first in 1980.

The Eastern Conference established control almost immediately, scoring 40 points in the opening quarter while holding the West to 23. Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Isiah Thomas and Patrick Ewing helped the East build a 17-point advantage before the end of the first period. The Western Conference narrowed the margin slightly in the second quarter, but the East still held a 65-52 lead at halftime.

After halftime, the Eastern Conference extended its advantage with a 35-31 third quarter. The East entered the final period ahead 100-83, and both teams scored 30 points in the fourth quarter. The result was a comfortable 17-point victory for the Eastern Conference, which led throughout the game after its dominant opening period.

Jordan and Barkley tied for the Eastern Conference scoring lead with 17 points apiece. Jordan made eight of 17 field goal attempts, including a three-pointer, and recorded five steals. Barkley also made seven field goals and added four rebounds. Isiah Thomas contributed 15 points, nine assists and three steals while helping direct the Eastern Conference offense.

New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing delivered a strong defensive performance with 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots. Ewing was a major factor in the East's ability to control the paint, particularly against a Western Conference frontcourt featuring Hakeem Olajuwon and rookie David Robinson.

The Eastern Conference received valuable scoring from its reserves. Boston Celtics center Robert Parish scored 14 points on seven-for-11 shooting, while teammate Kevin McHale and Atlanta Hawks forward Dominique Wilkins each added 13. Detroit Pistons guard Joe Dumars contributed nine points and five assists, making both of his three-point attempts.

The Western Conference was led offensively by Johnson and Phoenix Suns forward Tom Chambers, who scored 21 points on eight-for-12 shooting. Denver Nuggets guard Fat Lever added 16 points, while San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson and Dallas Mavericks guard Rolando Blackman each scored 15.

Robinson's appearance was especially significant because he was still in his rookie NBA season. The Spurs center scored 15 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and recorded two steals in 25 minutes. He would go on to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award for the 1989-90 season.

Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon led all players with 16 rebounds, including nine offensive rebounds, but struggled offensively. He made just two of his 14 field goal attempts and finished with eight points. His rebounding helped the West win the overall battle on the boards, 54-50, but the Eastern Conference's shooting advantage was too substantial to overcome.

The East made 57 of 105 field goal attempts for 54.3 percent, compared with 46 of 105 for the West, a 43.8 percent success rate. The Eastern Conference also made seven of 10 three-pointers, while the Western Conference connected on five of 11. The East's accurate shooting helped offset the West's rebounding advantage.

The 1990 game was notable for several players making their All-Star debuts. David Robinson, Reggie Miller, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen appeared in the event for the first time. All four would become major figures in NBA basketball during the 1990s.

Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird played in his final NBA All-Star Game. Bird finished with eight points, eight rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes. Although he would be selected to additional All-Star teams, injuries prevented him from participating again.

Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone was selected to the Western Conference roster but did not play because of injury. Rolando Blackman of the Dallas Mavericks was named as his replacement. Malone's Utah teammate John Stockton started for the West and finished with two points and six assists.

The weekend also featured Atlanta Hawks forward Dominique Wilkins winning his second NBA Slam Dunk Contest championship and Chicago Bulls guard Craig Hodges capturing his first NBA Three-Point Shootout title. The game itself marked the end of CBS's long run as the NBA All-Star Game's national broadcaster, with NBC taking over beginning in 1991.

Miami was hosting the NBA All-Star Game for the first time, just two seasons after the Miami Heat began play as an expansion franchise. The event helped showcase the NBA's growing presence in South Florida and brought many of the league's biggest stars to Miami Arena.

Date: February 11, 1990
Location: Miami, Florida
Arena: Miami Arena
Attendance: 14,810
Winning Team: Eastern Conference, 130-113
Most Valuable Player: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
Eastern Conference Coach: Chuck Daly, Detroit Pistons
Western Conference Coach: Pat Riley, Los Angeles Lakers
Officials: Earl Strom, Bill Oakes and Paul Mihalak
National Anthem: Branford Marsalis
Television: CBS

Head Coach: Chuck Daly, Detroit Pistons

Head Coach: Pat Riley, Los Angeles Lakers

Selected but did not play: Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz was selected to the Western Conference team but was unable to participate because of injury. Rolando Blackman of the Dallas Mavericks replaced him on the roster.

Statistical abbreviations: MIN = Minutes; FG = Field Goals Made-Attempted; 3PT = Three-Pointers Made-Attempted; FT = Free Throws Made-Attempted; REB = Rebounds; AST = Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; TO = Turnovers; PTS = Points.

Team shooting: East: 57-for-105 FG (54.3%), 7-for-10 3PT (70.0%), 9-for-12 FT (75.0%). West: 46-for-105 FG (43.8%), 5-for-11 3PT (45.5%), 16-for-26 FT (61.5%).

Magic Johnson Wins MVP Despite the Western Conference Loss

Magic Johnson scored 22 points and earned All-Star Game MVP honors even though the Western Conference lost by 17 points. He made four three-pointers in six attempts, added six rebounds and four assists, and was the game's leading scorer. Johnson became one of the rare players to win the award while representing the losing conference.

Eastern Conference Scores 40 Points in the First Quarter

The Eastern Conference established a decisive advantage with a 40-23 opening quarter. The East led by 13 points at halftime and 17 after three quarters, ultimately winning 130-113. Its efficient shooting, especially from three-point range, played a major role in the result.

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley Lead the East

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley each scored 17 points to lead the Eastern Conference. Jordan recorded five steals, while Barkley shot seven-for-12 from the field. Their scoring, combined with strong contributions from the Eastern Conference reserves, helped the team build a balanced offensive attack.

Patrick Ewing Records Five Blocked Shots

New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing scored 12 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked five shots. His defensive performance helped the Eastern Conference limit the West to 43.8 percent shooting.

Hakeem Olajuwon Grabs 16 Rebounds

Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon led all players with 16 rebounds, including nine offensive rebounds. Although he struggled offensively and finished with eight points, his rebounding remained one of the Western Conference's strongest performances.

David Robinson Makes His All-Star Debut

San Antonio Spurs rookie David Robinson appeared in his first NBA All-Star Game. Robinson scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 25 minutes, demonstrating the ability that would make him one of the league's premier centers throughout the 1990s.

Reggie Miller Makes His First All-Star Appearance

Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller made his NBA All-Star Game debut in 1990. He scored four points, grabbed one rebound and recorded three assists in 14 minutes. Miller would later become one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history.

Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman Debut

Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen and Detroit Pistons forward Dennis Rodman both made their first NBA All-Star Game appearances. Pippen finished with four points and one rebound, while Rodman recorded four points and four rebounds. Both would play important roles in the Chicago Bulls' championship teams during the 1990s.

Larry Bird Makes His Final Playing Appearance

Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds in what became his final NBA All-Star Game appearance as a player. Bird would be selected for two additional All-Star Games but was unable to participate because of injuries.

Karl Malone Misses the Game

Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone was selected for the Western Conference but did not play because of injury. Dallas Mavericks guard Rolando Blackman was named as his replacement and scored 15 points on seven-for-nine shooting.

John Stockton Represents the Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton started for the Western Conference and contributed two points, six assists, one steal and one blocked shot in 15 minutes. Stockton was making his second consecutive NBA All-Star Game appearance after recording 17 assists in the 1989 contest.

Tom Chambers Scores 21 Points

Phoenix Suns forward Tom Chambers scored 21 points on eight-for-12 shooting and made five of seven free throws. Chambers had won the 1987 NBA All-Star Game MVP award while playing for the Seattle SuperSonics.

Dominique Wilkins Wins the Slam Dunk Contest

Atlanta Hawks forward Dominique Wilkins won the 1990 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, earning his second championship in the competition. He previously won the event in 1985.

Craig Hodges Wins His First Three-Point Shootout

Chicago Bulls guard Craig Hodges won the 1990 NBA Three-Point Shootout. The victory began a streak of three consecutive championships, as Hodges also won in 1991 and 1992.

Miami Hosts Its First NBA All-Star Game

The 1990 contest was the first NBA All-Star Game held in Miami. The Miami Heat had joined the league in 1988, and hosting the event at Miami Arena provided an important early milestone for the franchise and the NBA's expansion into South Florida.

Pat Riley's Sixth Consecutive All-Star Coaching Appearance

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley coached the Western Conference for the sixth consecutive year. The NBA subsequently adopted a rule preventing a coach from appearing in consecutive All-Star Games, a policy commonly associated with Riley's repeated selections.

The End of the CBS All-Star Game Era

The 1990 game was the last NBA All-Star Game televised by CBS before the league's national broadcast coverage moved to NBC for the 1990-91 season. The change marked a new chapter in the television presentation of the NBA.

Who won the 1990 NBA All-Star Game?

The Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 130-113 on February 11, 1990.

Who was the 1990 NBA All-Star Game MVP?

Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers won MVP honors after scoring 22 points, making four three-pointers and collecting six rebounds.

Why did Magic Johnson win MVP if the West lost?

Johnson delivered the game's highest individual scoring total with 22 points and made four of six three-point attempts. He received the award despite the Western Conference's 130-113 defeat.

Where was the 1990 NBA All-Star Game played?

The game took place at Miami Arena in Miami, Florida.

Who scored the most points in the 1990 NBA All-Star Game?

Magic Johnson led all players with 22 points. Tom Chambers added 21 for the West, while Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley led the East with 17 each.

Who had the most assists in the 1990 NBA All-Star Game?

Isiah Thomas led all players with nine assists. John Stockton led the Western Conference with six.

Who had the most rebounds in the 1990 NBA All-Star Game?

Hakeem Olajuwon led all players with 16 rebounds. Patrick Ewing and David Robinson each grabbed 10.

Which Utah Jazz players were selected for the 1990 All-Star Game?

John Stockton and Karl Malone were selected. Stockton played and recorded six assists, while Malone missed the game because of injury.

Who replaced Karl Malone in the 1990 NBA All-Star Game?

Rolando Blackman of the Dallas Mavericks replaced Malone on the Western Conference roster.

Was 1990 David Robinson's first NBA All-Star Game?

Yes. Robinson made his All-Star debut as a rookie and finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Did Larry Bird play in the 1990 NBA All-Star Game?

Yes. Bird scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds in his final All-Star Game playing appearance.

Who won the 1990 NBA Slam Dunk Contest?

Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks won his second Slam Dunk Contest championship.

Who won the 1990 NBA Three-Point Shootout?

Craig Hodges of the Chicago Bulls won the competition, beginning a streak of three consecutive titles.

How many fans attended the 1990 NBA All-Star Game?

The announced attendance at Miami Arena was 14,810.

Who coached the 1990 NBA All-Star teams?

Chuck Daly of the Detroit Pistons coached the Eastern Conference, while Pat Riley of the Los Angeles Lakers coached the Western Conference.

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