NYPD defeats FDNY in New York Heroes basketball game

Before the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, another group of stars took to the Barclays Center court for their own showcase. The FDNY and NYPD met in their annual New York Heroes Game, with the police grabbing this year's title with a 40-33 win.

Both rosters included former NBA players in addition to the respective departments' officers. Former NBA guard Muggsy Bogues suited up for the fire department, as did Felipe Lopez, a former college player at St. John's. A.C. Green, who played in more consecutive games (1,192) than any player in NBA and ABA history from 1985-2001, suited up for the police along with former New York Knicks forward John Wallace.

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Guard Kenyatta Brown from the Housing Authority Police Service Area 3 led the NYPD with 11 points.

After the game, both teams met at midcourt for a ceremony announcing the donations of $35,000 to each of the department's charity foundations. There was also a moment of recognition for officers Andrew Dossi and Aliro Pellerano, who were shot in the line of duty last month while responding to an armed robbery. Both were greeted with standing ovations, according to the New York Daily News.

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"It’s New York heroes," said Boomer Esiason, a former NFL quarterback and the FDNY coach, according to Pix11.com. "It's Bravest v. Finest, it doesn't get any better than that.

"The NBA is showing a lot of love for the people who protect our community."

- Mike Fiammetta