NEW YORK— Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague were picked Thursday as reserves for the NBA Eastern Conference All-Star team, giving the sizzling Atlanta Hawks three players in the game.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were selected in the West, despite early-season injuries that sidelined the Oklahoma City stars for several games. The Miami Heat also had two reserves picked: Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
But Portland surprisingly had only one in LaMarcus Aldridge. Point guard Damian Lillard was not among the seven reserves selected.
Atlanta has won 17 straight games and has a 38-8 record, second-best in the NBA. The Hawks were hoping for four selections, but Kyle Korver was not picked by the East coaches.
Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and first-timer Jimmy Butler of Chicago were the other players announced to the East roster.
The rest of the West reserves for the Feb. 15 game in New York are James Harden (Houston), former Washington State standout Klay Thompson (Golden State), Tim Duncan (San Antonio) and Chris Paul (Clippers).
Head coaches in each conference had to vote for two guards, three frontcourt players and two players regardless of position. They couldn’t vote for players on their own teams.
The starters were selected by fans and announced last Thursday. LeBron James (Cleveland), Pau Gasol (Chicago), Carmelo Anthony (New York), John Wall (Washington) and Kyle Lowry (Toronto) will start for the East. Stephen Curry (Golden State), Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Anthony Davis (New Orleans), Blake Griffin (Clippers) and Marc Gasol (Memphis) were voted in from the West.
Bryant is out for the season after surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder and his replacement on the roster will be chosen by Commissioner Adam Silver. West coach Steve Kerr of the Warriors will decide who takes Bryant’s spot in the starting lineup.
Atlanta’s Mike Budenholzer will coach the East.
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