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Buoyed by Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson's fourth-quarter heroics, the Eastern Conference topped the Western Conference 111-110 in front of 20,374 fans who packed the MCI Center in downtown Washington, D.C., for the NBA's 50th All-Star Game.

In what has been described as one of the best All-Star games in recent years, with good defense, spectacular plays, and a down-to-the-wire finish, the East overcame a 21-point deficit to beat a heavily favored West squad. Iverson, who at 6 feet was the shortest man on the court, scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, and was later named the game's most valuable player. It was a homecoming of sorts for Iverson, who played his college ball at D.C.'s Georgetown University. "I'll cherish this the rest of my life," Iverson said. "It's not easy to win an award like this in a game like this."

The West squad had opened the game by scoring the first 11 points, and led 61-50 by halftime on their way to what appeared to be an easy victory. But the East, led by a few spectacular plays by Milwaukee Bucks guard Ray Allen, who a day earlier had won the three-point shooting contest, clawed back into the game. Iverson picked up the tempo in the third quarter, and tied the game at 100 in the fourth quarter.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant's short-range jumper with about a minute left in the game gave the West a 108-105 lead. But first-time all-star Stephon Marbury of the New Jersey Nets hit back-to-back three-pointers to give the East the lead for good. "I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be playing in an all-star game growing up," said Marbury who scored 12 points in the game. "And to be able to hit some big shots at the end of the game and go out with a vein, you know, that's just a nice way to end it."

"Everybody felt like we couldn't win because we were overmatched, but you can't measure the size of someone's heart," said Iverson, whose mother joined him on stage to accept the MVP award. "I can't even describe the feeling. It still feels like a dream."

Toronto Raptors Vince Carter had the dunk of the night, with a s-degree baseline slam that brought the crowd to its feet. Bryant made the most dramatic fashion statement of the night, sporting canary, yellow sneakers. Many notable players were on the sidelines sporting injuries. Among them were Alonzo Mourning, Grant Hill and Shaquille O'Neal.

At halftime, the NBA honored the previous All-Star Game MVPs, which included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Julius Irving. Tickets to the game ran upwards of $150 each, and that was for the cheap seats. Most fans in attendance seemed more interested in star-gazing than watching the game. The list of celebrities at the game included: Star Jones, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Holly Robinson Peete, Lil' Bow Wow, Russell Simmons, Master P, Jay-Z, Eriq LaSalle, and Shaggy.

The game culminated a star-studded week in the Nation's Capital that brought together actors, music stars and politicians for a plethora of parties, receptions and fan activities. D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams said the festivities were the biggest economic boom to the city since he became mayor.