Celtics' Garnett stays atop All-Star balloting

Garnett, who has guided the Celtics to a sparkling 27-4 mark, leads all players with 1,756,251 votes as the fourth and final fan- balloting to select the All-Star starters was announced on Thursday.

 The 57th NBA All-Star Game - the league's mid-season centrepiece - will be played in New Orleans on February 17.

 The 10-time All-Star selection is joined at the other Eastern Conference forward spot by Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, whose 1,564,974 votes are the second-highest overall. The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard leads at centre with 1,456,898 votes while Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (1,179,889) and the New Jersey Nets' Jason Kidd (868,069) top the guards.

 Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers leads the Western Conference players with 1,441,333 votes. The league's reigning two-time scoring champion is joined at guard by Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady with 907,639 votes.

 San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (1,246,125) and Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony (1,218,106) hold down the forward positions, while Chinese superstar Yao Ming (1,255,263) of the Houston Rockets is tops among the centres.

 Worldwide fan voting will continue through January 20, and the starters will be announced four days later. Following that, the head coaches will vote to determine the remaining squad in their respective conference, which will be announced on January 31.