2006 NBA All-Star Game - East 122, West 120

The 55th NBA All-Star Game was played on February 19, 2006, at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 122-120 in front of 18,652 fans. Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James earned his first NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award after scoring 29 points and leading the East back from a 21-point deficit.

At 21 years and 51 days old, James became the youngest player in NBA history to win the All-Star Game MVP award, breaking the mark previously held by Oscar Robertson. James made 12 of his 21 field goal attempts, including four three-pointers, and grabbed six rebounds.

The game was especially memorable because of the Western Conference's strong first half and the Eastern Conference's dramatic comeback. The teams were tied 28-28 after the first quarter, but the West erupted for 42 points in the second period. The Western Conference entered halftime leading 70-53.

The West eventually built a 21-point advantage, appearing to be in complete control. Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady was the game's most prolific scorer, finishing with 36 points in front of his home crowd. McGrady connected on 15 of 26 field goal attempts, including four three-pointers.

The Eastern Conference began its comeback during the third quarter. James provided the offensive spark, but the East also benefited from the chemistry of four Detroit Pistons teammates: Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace.

Detroit's four representatives played together under Pistons head coach Flip Saunders, who was coaching the Eastern Conference. Their familiarity helped improve the East's defensive pressure and ball movement as the Western Conference struggled to maintain its lead.

The Eastern Conference outscored the West 41-27 in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 97-94 entering the final period. What had appeared to be a comfortable Western Conference victory became a tightly contested game.

The fourth quarter featured several important plays by Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups. Wade finished with 20 points on an efficient nine-for-11 shooting performance, while Billups added 15 points and seven assists.

Billups scored seven of the East's final nine points, helping keep the game close in the closing minutes. With the score tied at 120, Wade converted a layup with approximately 16 seconds remaining to give the Eastern Conference a 122-120 lead.

The Western Conference had a final opportunity, but McGrady missed a three-point attempt. The Eastern Conference completed the comeback and earned its second consecutive All-Star Game victory.

Although McGrady led all scorers with 36 points, James received the MVP award for his role in the comeback. His 29-point performance represented another milestone in his rapid emergence as one of the NBA's leading players.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson scored 12 points, while Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal contributed 17 points and nine rebounds. O'Neal made seven of nine shots and recorded four assists.

Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds in his first All-Star appearance. Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas also made his All-Star debut, scoring one point in just under 10 minutes.

For the Western Conference, San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Phoenix Suns forward Shawn Marion contributed 14 points and eight rebounds.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol made his first NBA All-Star appearance and led all players with 12 rebounds. Although he did not score, Gasol collected six offensive rebounds and six defensive rebounds.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant finished with eight points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash recorded two points, five rebounds and six assists.

The Eastern Conference shot 50.5 percent from the field, making 51 of 101 attempts. The West made 51 of 112 shots, shooting 45.5 percent. The East also connected on six three-pointers compared with four for the West.

The West dominated the rebounding battle, collecting 68 individual rebounds to the East's 49. However, the Eastern Conference committed only 16 turnovers compared with 23 for the Western Conference, helping offset the rebounding disadvantage.

The 2006 NBA All-Star Game remains one of the most memorable contests of the decade because of James' first MVP award, McGrady's 36-point performance, the Detroit Pistons' four-player contribution and Wade's game-winning basket.

Date: February 19, 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Arena: Toyota Center
Attendance: 18,652
Final Score: Eastern Conference 122, Western Conference 120
Most Valuable Player: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Eastern Conference Coach: Flip Saunders, Detroit Pistons
Western Conference Coach: Avery Johnson, Dallas Mavericks
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Joe DeRosa and Greg Willard
Leading Scorer: Tracy McGrady, 36 points
Leading Rebounder: Pau Gasol, 12 rebounds
Leading Assists: Kobe Bryant, 8 assists
Leading Vote-Getter: Yao Ming, Houston Rockets (2,342,738 votes)
Game-Winning Basket: Dwyane Wade layup with approximately 16 seconds remaining
Historical Significance: LeBron James became the youngest All-Star Game MVP in NBA history at the time.

Head Coach: Flip Saunders, Detroit Pistons

Head Coach: Avery Johnson, Dallas Mavericks

Statistical abbreviations: MIN = Minutes:Seconds; FG = Field Goals Made-Attempted; 3PT = Three-Point Field Goals Made-Attempted; FT = Free Throws Made-Attempted; OREB = Offensive Rebounds; DREB = Defensive Rebounds; REB = Total Rebounds; AST = Assists; PF = Personal Fouls; STL = Steals; TO = Turnovers; BLK = Blocked Shots; PTS = Points.

Rebounding totals are the sums of individual player rebounds. Each conference also recorded nine team rebounds.

LeBron James Becomes the Youngest All-Star MVP

At 21 years and 51 days old, LeBron James became the youngest NBA All-Star Game MVP at the time. He scored 29 points, grabbed six rebounds and made four three-pointers in the Eastern Conference's 122-120 victory.

Tracy McGrady Scores 36 Points in Houston

McGrady led all players with 36 points in front of the hometown Houston crowd. He made 15 field goals and connected on four three-pointers, nearly earning MVP honors despite the Western Conference loss.

Four Detroit Pistons Represent the Eastern Conference

Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace all represented Detroit in the game. Their coach, Flip Saunders, also led the Eastern Conference. The four Pistons helped the East recover from a 21-point deficit.

Chauncey Billups Makes His First All-Star Appearance

Billups scored 15 points and handed out seven assists. He played a critical role in the final minutes, scoring seven of the East's last nine points.

Dwyane Wade Scores the Game-Winning Basket

Wade scored 20 points on nine-for-11 shooting and made the decisive layup with approximately 16 seconds remaining.

Chris Bosh Makes His All-Star Debut

Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds in his first NBA All-Star appearance.

Gilbert Arenas Makes His All-Star Debut

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas scored one point and recorded one assist and one steal in his first All-Star Game.

Tony Parker Makes His First All-Star Appearance

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker contributed eight points and four assists in his first NBA All-Star Game.

Pau Gasol Makes His First All-Star Appearance

Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol became the first Spanish-born NBA All-Star. He finished with 12 rebounds, the most by any player in the game.

Elton Brand Represents the Los Angeles Clippers

Brand scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds while representing a Clippers team that would reach the Western Conference Semifinals later that season.

Yao Ming Leads the All-Star Fan Voting

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming received 2,342,738 votes, the most of any player in the 2006 All-Star balloting.

The Eastern Conference Overcomes a 21-Point Deficit

The East trailed by 17 points at halftime and by as many as 21 before rallying to win 122-120. Detroit's defensive-minded group and James' scoring helped turn the game around.

Who won the 2006 NBA All-Star Game?

The Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 122-120 on February 19, 2006.

Who was the 2006 NBA All-Star Game MVP?

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers won MVP honors after scoring 29 points and grabbing six rebounds.

Where was the 2006 NBA All-Star Game played?

The game was held at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Who scored the most points in the game?

Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets led all players with 36 points. LeBron James led the Eastern Conference with 29.

Who scored the winning basket?

Dwyane Wade made a layup with approximately 16 seconds remaining to give the East its 122-120 victory.

Who had the most rebounds?

Pau Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies grabbed 12 rebounds, leading all players.

Who had the most assists?

Kobe Bryant led the game with eight assists. Chauncey Billups recorded seven for the Eastern Conference.

How large was the Eastern Conference comeback?

The East recovered from a 21-point deficit and a 70-53 halftime disadvantage.

Which Detroit Pistons played in the game?

Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace represented Detroit. Pistons coach Flip Saunders coached the East.

Who coached the Western Conference?

Avery Johnson of the Dallas Mavericks coached the Western Conference.

How many people attended the game?

The announced attendance was 18,652.

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