Baron Davis didn't figure he would spend much time on the court Sunday in his first NBA All-Star appearance, so he wasn't disappointed when expectation became reality.

"It was still everything it was cracked up to be and I enjoyed it," said Davis, the Hornets' point guard who became a late addition to the East roster Thursday night when Toronto's Vince Carter was forced out by an injury.

"Coach (Byron Scott of New Jersey) didn't say anything before the game about how he planned to use us but it was no surprise. It's tough for a first-time player, especially when you just get on the team at the last minute."

Davis was the last reserve on the East's 12-player roster. He played seven minutes in the second quarter, then the final six minutes of the game, won 135-120 by the West at the First Union Center.

His numbers weren't too bad, considering the time limitations. He shot poorly, hitting 1-of-5 from the field and missing his three three-point attempts. But he had five assists, sharing the East lead in that category and matching the total of Milwaukee's Ray Allen, who played 25 minutes.

Davis made an impact immediately after entering the game in the second period, just as the East was coming back from a 10-point deficit. On his first play he fed Orlando's Tracy McGrady for a dunk, then followed with a fast-break assist to Boston's Paul Pierce for another score.

The two baskets tied the game at 48. It was the last time the East played on even ground as the West sprinted ahead by 17 by halftime.

"We had a nice little flow when I first got in there," Davis said. "But it's tough playing in a game like that. Nobody wanted to play defense. And it's tough to get into a flow and stay in it when you come off the bench like that, but that's the same for everyone else.

"I just wanted to go out and make some nice passes and get the guys some easy baskets."

Davis described the weekend as fun but tiring. He shared it with his fellow All-Stars and eight of his friends from Los Angeles.

"We had a great time but I didn't sleep too much," he said. "I'll be fine once I get back to Charlotte and get a good night's sleep. Now it's time to get back to work."

The Hornets will regroup with practices today and Tuesday before playing Chicago Wednesday night at the Charlotte Coliseum.

Jordan gets `oops' award

Michael Jordan, of all people, could lay claim to the game's oops award after missing a breakaway dunk. It was his most memorable play of the day.Jordan, who was so open that he apparently had too much time to think about the play, bounced the ball high off the rim. He then grinned sheepishly.

"I laugh at myself," he said. "Obviously, that told its own story. I started trying to figure out, `Well, what will you do?' And at the last minute you think, `Well, just dunk it,' and you lose concentration."

Notes

? Kobe Bryant's 31 points were the most scored in an All-Star game since 1988 when Jordan had 40. ... Bryant's 23 in the first half missed by a point the record set by the Hornets' Glen Rice in 1997.

? Jordan finished with eight points, his second-lowest scoring total in 12 All-Star appearances. He had seven in 1985.