(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-18 14:39

NEW YORK - MVP LeBron James scored 27 points, including a tie-breaking dunk, to help the East beat the West 134-128 in the NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans on Sunday.

Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James goes up to shoot during the NBA All-Star basketball game in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 17, 2008. [Agencies]

Ray Allen added 28 points - half of them in the final three and a half minutes - for the East, who squandered a comfortable double-digit lead before clinching the win.

Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Roy and Amare Stoudemire each had 18 points for the West, with hometown favourite Chris Paul adding 16 points and 14 assists.

James, who also had eight rebounds and nine assists, slammed home his dunk with 55 seconds remaining to break a 125-125 tie to edge the East ahead.

"The game was tied and I didn't want to settle for a jumpshot," James told reporters.

"I had to settle for a couple of jumpshots in the fourth quarter and I wanted to be aggressive and try to get to the hole to get the layup. When I saw those bigs (guys) coming, I didn't want to lay the ball up."

Although James said he thought Allen deserved the MVP award, he said the honour would be a special memory for him.

"To add the MVP trophy to a win means a lot to me," James said. "I played well and helped my team mates win the ballgame. It really means a lot to go out there and perform the way I was able to do in front of the fans of New Orleans."

After James' dunk, layups by Dwyane Wade and Allen boosted the lead to 131-125

Roy's three-pointer brought the West within three with eight seconds to play but Allen sealed the win with three free throws.

The West, down by 13 with 11 minutes to play, had roared back into contention behind Stoudemire, Paul and Roy, taking a 118-116 lead on Stoudemire's jumper with 3:23 left.

But Allen drilled three three-pointers, giving the East a 125-122 advantage with 1:58 remaining.

Paul tied it once more with a three-pointer at 1:36, setting the stage for James and Allen to notch the closing points.

Hampered by a torn finger ligament, Kobe Bryant played less than three minutes for the West and did not take a shot.