The round-robin format featured multiple buzzer beaters, a Kawhi Leonard scoring binge and a renewed effort by the players.

Kevin Durant in The Garden. In 11 career games at MSG, Durant has averaged 31.2 points on 51.4% shooting (including 41.9% from three), with 7.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He’s 9-2 in those 11 games and has not lost at MSG since Dec. 22, 2010.

The NBA's All-Star Game had morphed into a high-scoring, defense-less dunk fest that had grown tiresome for fans. But Sunday’s contest felt different to the players.