Intro:

The NBA All Stars held practise sessions on Saturday (14 February) ahead of Sunday's All Star Game at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Script:

NBA fans were in for a right treat on Saturday night, as the Eastern and Western NBA Conference All Stars held practice sessions in Madison Square Garden in New York.

Dirk Nowitzki was there representing the Western Conference, after was was selected as a late replacement for the injured Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Dirk Nowitzki, Western Conference: (on being named a late replacement for Anthony Davis)

"So I found out Wednesday after the game. I was a little shocked. Keith Grant called me over, our Assistant General Manager. He called me over and I was like, am I getting cut? What's going on here? I didn't know what to expect and then he said no, you're going to New York. So a little mixed emotions I think."

Representing the Eastern Conference were Cleveland's LeBron James and the Knicks's Carmelo Anthony, though the latter is only likely to play for a few minutes due to chronic knee pain.

SOUNDBITE: (English) LeBron James, Eastern Conference: (on Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade being injured)

"I mean two of my best friends are going through injuries right now - D Wade and Melo. Those guys being my brothers you don't want to see them go through anything like that. You just want Melo to get healthy. That's all that matters. I want D Wade to get healthy and do what they do best which is play the game of basketball at a high level."

The game itself will take place on Sunday night.