Luol Deng also had a decent game, scoring 10 points in 17 minutes, although he was just 4/10 from the field and 1/5 from three. But his work — along with Noah and former Bull Tyson Chandler — on the East’s bench unit helped keep the game close down the stretch.

Noah caused a bit of a stir with his trademark intensity in an event that generally lacks such things. He consistently rotated correctly on defense, even as nobody else had any interest in doing so, and he fought for boards with vigor. Perhaps the best example is his defense on Chris Paul’s dagger three in the final minutes.

Joakim Noah guards Chris Paul down the stretch of the 2013 NBA All-Star game. Credit: @cjzero

Paul may have hit the shot, but that’s hardly Noah’s fault.

Noah also crossed up Zach Randolph pretty good en route to two of his 8 points.

Now, Deng and Noah have a day to rest before the Chicago Bulls head to New Orleans to take on the New Orleans Hornets for the final time before they become the New Orleans Pelicans.

James White, New York Knicks

Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors

Jeremy Evans, Utah Jazz

Gerald Green, Indiana Pacers

Eric Bledsoe, Los Angeles Clippers

Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets

The Pick: At the end of the day, it’s hard to get over James “Flight” White’s resume. Ross, Evans and Green should make for worthy challengers, but I think White will win it all. Let’s just avoid having anyone jump over a Kia today, shall we?