The new All-Star format appeared to have the desired effect as Team LeBron and Team Stephen played out a competitive and close-fought encounter at Staples Center on Sunday night. 

It was LeBron and his men who came out on top with a 148-145 victory in dramatic fashion as the game came down to the wire - a rare occurrence in recent All-Star games.

Team Stephen held a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter but Team LeBron battled back as we saw some defence being played late in the game and they tied the contest at 144 apiece heading into the final minutes.

With just over a minute remaining, there was also a refereeing controversy as the ball appeared to go off Joel Embiid, but after a review, Team Stephen kept the ball but failed to convert on the possession. 

That gave Team LeBron a chance to take the lead and they did so as former teammates James and Kyrie Irving connected just like old times.

Irving dished the ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar in the paint and he scored to take a lead late in the encounter. 

Russell Westbrook then got a layup with 10.7 seconds remaining to put them up by three. 

Team Stephen needed a three-pointer to tie the game and inevitably they went to the captain to try and get it. 

But it was quite predictable that Curry would be the man taking the shot and he was locked down by an impressive defensive effort by James and Kevin Durant as they prevented him from even getting a shot off. 

LeBron was named as the MVP for the third time in his career as he finished the night with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.

By contrast, Curry only put up 11 points on a disappointing 4-of-14 shooting on the night as he failed to lead his team to a win. 

It was a very entertaining game and the fans were the big winners on the night as the players put on a great show and brought some life back to the All-Star game.