The22nd NBA All-Star Game was played on January 18, 1972, atThe Forum inInglewood, California, the home of theLos Angeles Lakers. The West All-Stars defeated the East All-Stars 112–110, withJerry West of the Lakers winning theMost Valuable Player award after he scored 13 points. West also hit a last-second 20-foot (6.1 m) jump shot to break the tie and win the game for the team.[1]
Dave Cowens, a future MVP and Hall of Famer, made his All-Star debut in this game. CenterBob Lanier, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992, made his debut in this All-Star Game as well. TheHouston Rockets, which relocated from San Diego to Houston before the1971–72 season, had their first Houston-era All-Star inElvin Hayes.[2]
The coach for the Western Conference team was Los Angeles Lakers head coachBill Sharman. The coach for the Eastern Conference team wasBoston Celtics head coachTom Heinsohn. Both the Celtics and Lakers had the best record in their respective conferences entering the game.
