NBA leaning toward keeping target score for next year's All-Star Game
There's a "good assumption" the Association will use a target score once again to end next year's All-Star Game, NBA president of league operations Byron Spruell told ESPN's Zach Lowe.
The league will also discuss using the new concept in the elimination rounds of a potential midseason tournament, according to Lowe.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis hit a game-winning free throw to give Team LeBron a 157-155 victory over Team Giannis in the first installment of the new format, which drew rave reviews. However, Spruell says the NBA may tinker with the rules to prevent the game from ending on a made free throw.
A final target score of 157 was established using the points accumulated by the leading team over the first three frames, plus an additional 24 points in honor of the late Kobe Bryant.
Team LeBron and Team Giannis competed to win each of the first three quarters, with the victor of each frame earning $100,000 for a local Chicago charity. The first three quarters were 12 minutes in length, with each starting at 0-0. The final frame was untimed, with the winner receiving an additional $200,000.
The changes resulted in one of the more entertaining All-Star Games in recent years. TV ratings went up 8% from the previous season.