NEW YORK (AFP) - San Antonio shooting guard Marco Belinelli will defend his title in the Three-Point Contest during the National Basketball Association's All-Star festivities in Brooklyn next week.
The Italian will try to become the first repeat winner of the event since Jason Kapono in 2007-08, but will face a talented field that includes Golden State's sharp-shooting duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Also entered in next Saturday's contest are Atlanta's Kyle Korver, the NBA's leading three-point shooter, 2013 champion Kyrie Irving of Cleveland, All-Star James Harden of Houston, Portland's Wesley Matthews, and J.J. Redick from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Curry will also participate in the Shooting Stars competition alongside his father, former NBA star Dell Curry, and Sue Bird of the WNBA's Seattle Storm.
Miami's Chris Bosh, an All-Star for a 10th consecutive season, and team-mates Dominique Wilkins and Swin Cash of the New York Liberty will try to win that event for a third straight year.
All-Star Saturday on Feb 14 will also feature the Slam Dunk Contest at the Brooklyn Nets' arena.
The 64th All-Star game will be held across town at Madison Square Garden, the Manhattan home of the New York Knicks, on Feb 15.
