The 1981 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game which was played February 1, 1981, at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers. This was the 31st edition of the National Basketball Association All-Star Game and was played during the 1980–81 NBA season. This was the first All-Star game to be held in the state of Ohio since 1966 when it was held in Cincinnati, the first one hosted by the Cavaliers, and the only one to be held at Richfield, as the franchise would move to the Gund Arena (now Rocket Arena) in Cleveland in 1994 and host the game there twice more.
The Eastern All-Stars won the game 123–120. Nate Archibald of the Boston Celtics was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) after dishing a game-high 9 assists.
Coaches
Billy Cunningham, head coach of the Eastern Conference leader Philadelphia 76ers, qualified as the head coach of the Eastern All-Stars. John MacLeod, head coach of the Western Conference leader Phoenix Suns, qualified as the head coach of the Western All-Stars.
Team rosters
Western Conference Player, Team MINFGMFGAFTMFTA REBASTPTS Walter Davis, PHO 22 5 9 2 2 7 1 12 Adrian Dantley, UTA 21 3 9 2 2 5 0 8 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LA 23 6 12 3 3 4 3 15 Paul Westphal, SEA 25 8 12 3 3 4 3 19 George Gervin, SA 24 5 9 1 2 3 0 11 Jamaal Wilkes, LA 25 6 12 3 3 8 3 15 Moses Malone, HOU 22 3 8 2 4 6 3 8 Truck Robinson, PHO 21 3 6 0 0 5 2 6 Jack Sikma, SEA 21 2 5 2 2 4 4 6 Dennis Johnson, PHO 24 5 8 9 10 2 1 19 Otis Birdsong, KC 12 0 3 1 2 1 1 1 Totals 240 46 90 28 33 51 22 120
Eastern Conference Player, Team MINFGMFGAFTMFTA REBASTPTS Larry Bird, BOS 18 1 5 0 0 4 3 2 Julius Erving, PHI 29 6 15 6 7 3 2 18 Artis Gilmore, CHI 19 5 7 1 2 6 2 11 Eddie Johnson, ATL 28 7 12 2 3 2 2 16 Reggie Theus, CHI 19 4 7 0 0 1 3 8 Nate Archibald, BOS 25 4 7 1 3 5 9 9 Robert Parish, BOS 25 5 18 6 6 10 2 16 Bobby Jones, PHI 16 5 11 1 1 4 0 11 Marques Johnson, MIL 19 1 2 5 6 4 2 7 Micheal Ray Richardson, NY 24 5 7 1 2 5 3 11 Mike Mitchell, CLE 15 6 12 2 2 4 2 14 Dan Roundfield, ATL (injured) Totals 240 49 103 25 32 48 30 123
Injury replacements Cleveland forward Mike Mitchell replaced Atlanta forward Dan Roundfield due to the latter's right calf injury
Score by periods Score by periods: 1234Final Western Conference 27 31 30 32 120 Eastern Conference 23 38 36 26 123
Halftime— East, 61–58 Third Quarter— East, 97–88 Officials: Paul Mihalak and Darell Garretson. Attendance: 20,239.
External links 1981 NBA All Star Game Box Score 1981 NBA All Star Game Recap