DALLAS Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki will appear in front of his hometown crowd for his ninth All-Star game this month Nowitzki, who earlier this season scored the 20 000th point of his career, was one of 14 players selected by the head coaches for each conference to come off the bench in the February 14 game.

The other West reserves include Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, who will make his All-Star debut along with forward Zach Randolph (Memphis Grizzlies) and Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams.

New Orleans guard Chris Paul, Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy and Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol were also named to the squad.

For the Eastern Conference, first-timers Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls), Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats) and Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks) will make appearances.

The Celtics also boast Paul Pierce, while Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson received the invite.

The West starters, as voted by fans, include the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Phoenix Suns players Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony and San Antonio’ Tim Duncan.

The starters for the East are: Cleveland’s LeBron James, Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, Orlando Magic centre Dwight Howard, Miami’s Dwyane Wade and Philadelphia guard Allen Iverson. (Eurosport)