NBA to honour basketball great in All-Star

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Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

The NBA has announced a new format for the game that will increase the level of competition, provide additional excitement and make the outcome of every quarter count for charity.

A new fourth-quarter format will honour LA Lakers great and five-time NBA champion Bryant.

The new format

Both teams - captained by LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo - will play for Chicago-based community organisations.
They will compete to win each of the first three quarters, each of which will start at 0-0 and last 12 minutes.
The community organisation selected by the winner of each quarter will receive $100,000 (£76,441.50).
At the start of the fourth quarter, the game clock will be turned off and a Final Target Score will be set.
This will be determined by the leading team's total cumulative score and adding 24 points - Kobe Bryant's jersey number.
For example, if the cumulative score at the end of the third quarter is 100-95, the Final Target Score would be 124.
The fourth quarter will be untimed and the first team to reach the Final Target Score wins.
The winning team will win $200,000 (£152,849) for its chosen community organisation.
The 69th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Chicago's United Center on Sunday 16 February.