The East started quickly, while the West missed nine of its first 11 shots and trailed 20-10 when Jackson called timeout and inserted O’Neal with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter. The West scored the next 11 points with Shaq and Kobe on the floor, part of a 19-0 run that made it 27-20.

O’Neal, enjoying a resurgence this season after an injury-plagued 2007-08, had three baskets and set up another during the run. There was little interaction between he and Bryant, who both insist they’ve patched things up, aside from normal basketball plays.

O’Neal returned midway through the third quarter with the West already ahead by double digits. Bryant set him up for a layup, then made one himself for a 97-85 lead.

“It is fun to see them compete like they did tonight,” James said.

O’Neal scored the next eight West points, including one basket when Bryant fed him for a dunk. Another came when he ran a give-and-go with Hornets guard Chris Paul — with O’Neal feeding the 6-foot Paul in the post and swooping in from the perimeter for a dunk.

Paul, Brandon Roy, Pau Gasol and Tony Parker all finished with 14 points for the West. Paul also had 14 assists.

Dwight Howard had 13 points and nine rebounds in a disappointing performance by the East, which shot only 47 percent in a game usually absent of defense and was outrebounded 51-38.

Notes: President Barack Obama delivered a taped message at halftime urging public service. Also at the half, USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo gave rings to the members of the men’s and women’s gold medal-winning teams who were in Phoenix. The players in the All-Star game came out for the presentation in their USA warmup outfits. ... The Canadian anthem was performed by Canada native Tamia Hill, wife of Suns forward Grant Hill. ... Tim Duncan and Parker, whose San Antonio Spurs have ended many recent Phoenix postseasons, were booed before the game.

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