Thu Jan 31 19:54:37 2008

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First-timers, duos highlight NBA All-Star Reserve selections

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New York, NY (Sports Network) - New Orleans' Chris Paul and David West, and Portland's Brandon Roy were selected to their first NBA All-Star Game, as the league unveiled the reserve selections on Thursday..

All three players were selected to the Western Conference roster, along with Phoenix's Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, Utah's Carlos Boozer, and Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki.

The Eastern Conference reserves feature Detroit's Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton, as well as Washington's Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison. Toronto's Chris Bosh, Boston's Paul Pierce, and Atlanta's Joe Johnson rounded out the roster.

Seven players from each conference were selected by coaches in their respective conference. The coaches selected two guards, two forwards, one center and two players regardless of position. They were not permitted to vote for players from their own team.

Paul and West lead the Hornets in scoring with 20.8 and 19.6 points per game, respectively, while Paul also averages 10.7 assists. Both will be hometown players for the All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 17 at New Orleans Arena.

Pierce averages a team-best 20.1 points and five assists for the Celtics, who have the NBA's best record, and whose coach - Doc Rivers - will be on the sidelines for the Eastern Conference.

Hamilton and Billups are first and second in scoring, respectively, for the Central Division-leading Pistons. Similarly, Butler and Jamison provide a one- two punch for Washington, averaging 21.9 points and 21.1 points, respectively.

The players join the previously selected starters. For the East, Orlando's Dwight Howard, Boston's Kevin Garnett, Cleveland's LeBron James, Miami's Dwyane Wade, and New Jersey's Jason Kidd will start.

The Western Conference will put the Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Denver guard Allen Iverson in the backcourt to start. San Antonio forward Tim Duncan, Houston center Yao Ming, and Denver forward Carmelo Anthony will start in the frontcourt.