A record-setting crowd of 108,713 jammed into Cowboys Stadium Sunday to watch the NBA Eastern Conference
squeak out a 141-139 victory over the West.
Originally designed and listed to support a capacity of 35,000 fans for basketball and 80,000 for football, most of the fans had to watch the game on the giant screen to even have a clue what was happening on the court.
This game went down to the final seconds and ironically it was Dallas native Chris Bosh who scored the winning points, sinking free throws with just five seconds left.
The West got one more possession but Carmelo Anthony, who had a game-high 27 for the West, bounced a 3-pointer off the rim at the buzzer that would have won it.
Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade led the East with 28 points and 11 assists took home the MVP honors.
“I’ve had a little luck in Dallas. Of course, 2006 is very, very memorable, something I dreamed of doing for a long time, winning the NBA championship and I was lucky enough and blessed enough to win the MVP there,” Wade said. “To come and do it again is special.”
Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James added 25 for the East and was in awe of the size of the crowd.
“To be in front of 108,000 fans, that was actually what it was, that was not a false number. You could look up in the stands, and there was not a seat open,” said James. “To be part of history is something that you always wish and dream for.”
The players spent their shoot-around trying to adjust to the gigantic stadium background which is so different from the standard size arenas they normally play in.
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