Dwight Howard Posts Modest Statistics in 2011 NBA All-Star Game

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard made his fourth consecutive start at center for the Eastern Conference All-Stars on Sunday night, but had his least impressive career All-Star outing as his perimeter-oriented teammates in the East's 148-143 loss to the West. Howard, in his fifth overall appearance, notched 5 points (2-of-4 shooting, 0-of-2 from three-point territory), 7 rebounds, an assist, and a steal in just 21 minutes; his scoring, minutes, and field-goal attempts all represented career-lows for him in All-Star play.

Howard started the game with plenty of energy, recording 2 points, 2 shot attempts, and 3 rebounds in its opening 91 seconds. But the East team did not look to post Howard up at all, limiting his offensive involvement to garbage duty. East coach Doc Rivers, of the Boston Celtics, closed the game with the New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire and the Miami Heat's Chris Bosh at the power positions. Howard checked out for good a the 5:09 mark of the fourth period and the East trailing, 134-124.

In four prior All-Star appearances, Howard averaged 16.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in 26.5 minutes.

LeBron James, Howard's East teammate and Heat rival, recorded the second triple-double in All-Star history with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Stoudemire poured in 29 of his own for the East. Yet they couldn't match game MVP Kobe Bryant's 37-point effort, nor the 34 points Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant put in. SB Nation's team of editors updated the All-Star Weekend StoryStream all night long, so I refer you there for complete game coverage.