LAS VEGAS - The NBA's weekend-long All-Star party comes to a close Sunday night with ... the game itself.

Yes, after all the celebrity parties, the dunk contests and Charles Barkley’s charity footrace, the NBA will stage its All-Star game Sunday as the East meets the West in an offense-only exhibition designed to highlight the talents of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and the rest of the game’s elite players.

After a week of media hype, it all comes down to the game. The Eastern Conference leads the all-time series over the West 34-21, but no one really cares who wins the game.

“It’s obviously a fun city,” Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki said. “Obviously it’s always an honor to be an All Star. Bringing it to Las Vegas for the first time and being a part of it is going to be great.

“Hopefully we can put on a great show for the fans here.”

The game is an annual affair where defense is virtually nonexistent among the swirling dunks and twisting drives to the hoop.

High-scoring guard Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards said he was thrilled to be starting for the East alongside James, and Miami stars Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade.

“I never imagined this growing up. You always wanted to be an All Star, but three consecutive? It’s amazing that I’m here again,” said Arenas, averaging 29 points a game.

Bryant, who averages 28.6 points for the Los Angeles Lakers, said the city’s response to the game had been incredible.

“It’s fun,” he said. “It’s the first time it’s ever been in a neutral city. So when you bring the All-Star game to a neutral site, the energy picks up. For us it’s special to be a part of it.”

Not everyone gets the opportunity, an issue that bothers Stern. The league has 30 teams and only 24 All-Stars. Fourteen teams will not have a representative at the showcase event.

But for those playing, Las Vegas has thrown a party like no other.

James, the Cleveland Cavaliers guard and the MVP of last year’s affair, said the All-Star game was always special.

“I think with Vegas, though, being the brightest city in America, and having the brightest stars coming to this venue, I think that it has a little bit more funk to it,” he said.

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