 O'Neal has missed much of the season through injury |
Shaquille O'Neal scored 24 points and claimed 11 rebounds as the Western Conference beat the Eastern Conference 136-132 in the NBA All-Star Game. O'Neal took the Most Valuable Player award while Los Angeles Lakers team-mate Kobe Bryant scored 20 points.
Seven players from the West reached double figures.
San Antonio forward Tim Duncan sealed the victory with 2.1 seconds remaining, scoring the game's final point from the free throw line.
The West won for the fourth time in five years to continue their dominance over the East.
Western teams have captured the past five NBA championships and this season's top seven scoring teams reside in the West.
The East tried to send the game into over-time with five seconds on the clock but Michael Redd's three-point attempt sailed wide.
Seattle's Ray Allen also hit two key free throws with 14.4 seconds left to give the West a 135-132 lead.
Chinese import Yao Ming started at centre for the West and finished with 16 points.
New Orleans' Jamaal Magloire led the East with 19 points, with Kenyon Martin adding 17 points.
MMIX
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