WASHINGTON (AFP) — Damian Lillard scored 39 points to lead a record-scoring performance by the Eastern Conference in a 211-186 rout of the Western Conference in Sunday's 73rd National Basketball Association All-Star Game.

Boston's Jaylen Brown added 36 points off the bench and Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton had 32 to help spark the East past the old All-Star Game one-team record of 196 set by the West in 2016.

"Once we came out in the third and we made a lot of shots, it was like what's the record," Lillard said.

"We found out and we went after it."

Milwaukee guard Lillard, who sank a pair of half-court shots, made a game-high 11 three-pointers off 23 attempts and went 14-of-26 overall to earn the game's Most Valuable Player award.

"It's an honor," the eight-time NBA All-Star said.

"I've been here a few times so to be able to have this kind of accomplishment is special."

East captain Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 2021 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player who had 23 points, knew his Bucks teammate Lillard was set for a big night.

"I knew he was going for it," Antetokounmpo said.

"When he has that twitch in his eye, when he's locked in, you've got to pass him the ball and just get out of his way."