NEW YORK (NBA) - Basketball players like the Gasol brothers have dreamed about doing a lot of things in their careers.

Marc and Pau have wanted to compete in the NBA and win titles, and to capture titles with Spain's national team.

Never in their wildest dreams did they think that one day, though, each would start in the same NBA All-Star Game.

Perhaps an even crazier thought was that the two would jump against each other at the opening tip.

It marked the first time that two brothers started in an NBA All-Star Game.

"Very unique, very special," Pau said. 

"It's something that has never happened, so I think it's pretty remarkable that we have been the first ones to actually do it.

"I'm very proud. It was an incredible experience to be able to share this type of moment with my brother."

"My daughter came for the first time to a game," Marc said.

"To me, that was really special. 

"I know you guys (media) probably don't care, but that made it even more special, if possible."

All-Star Games are not known for being defensive struggles, but high-scoring affairs.

Sunday's game was certainly about the points and not the 'D'.

When the contest was over, the Western Conference All-Stars had 163 points and the Eastern Conference All-Stars 158.

The combined total was the most ever scored in a game.

There were plenty of exciting plays to draw oohs and ahhs from the crowd in Madison Square Garden.

When it was over, Russell Westbrook had a game-high 41 points and the All-Star Game MVP trophy in his hands.

Westbrook, who played on the USA teams that won the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2012 Olympics, came off the bench and played 26 minutes.

He scored in a myriad of ways, including the high-flying variety.

There were plenty of talking points after it was all said and done.

Houston Rockets ace James Harden and Golden State Warriors duo Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, were starters for the Western Conference.

Each played for the USA's winning squad at last summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Harden finished with 29 points, eight assists and eight rebounds on Sunday.

The Atlanta Hawks' fabulous four of Kyle Korver, Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap and Al Horford, a member of the Dominican Republic national team set-up, made the most of their minutes as reserves.

Korver had 21 points in 16 minutes, Teague 14 points in 13 minutes, Horford eight points and seven rebounds and Millsap five points and six boards.

Atlanta did not have a starter on the Eastern Conference squad although they own the best record in the Eastern Conference [43 wins, 11 defeats].

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, a leader in the USA sides that won the last two Olympic gold medals, had a team-high 30 points for the Eastern Conference All-Stars.

Even before the All-Star Game, New York was aflutter over the Zach LaVine's victory in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, and Curry's triumph in the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest.

LaVine had some jaw-dropping dunks, probably some of the best in the history of the competition.

Now the NBA will turn its attention back to the games that really matter.

The players will return to their clubs and focus on beating as many opponents as they can to reach the play-offs.

It should be a lot of fun the rest of the way.