The NBL's World All Stars showed off their collective skills to edge out the Aussie All Stars 136-133 in their annual confrontation at the Distinctive Homes Dome in Adelaide.

As usual in the annual showpiece, both sides concentrated on attack to produce plenty of crowd pleasing moments, but it was the World who held off the fast finishing Aussies in a frantic final term to avenge last year's defeat.

Home town favourite Willie Farley top scored for the World with 25 points, while MVP Rashad Tucker (21) and Larry Abney (17) also impressed.

Despite finishing on the losing side, Aussie star Chris Anstey shot a game-high 30 points, with Brad Newley (28) and Sam MacKinnon (18) giving strong support.

World coach Joey Wright said his side was not short on motivation to win the game.

"Some of these guys have played in the past couple of All Star games and they've had to hear stories of how they got beat," he said.

Wright said since he had played in the NBL the gap between the Australians and imports had closed.

"I definitely think the Australians are better now than back then," he said.

Although Aussie All Star coach Scott Fisher said he was pleased with his side's performance, he would have liked more time with his players to prepare them for the match.

"I was actually a little disappointed that we didn't get the chance to have one training session," he said.

"I would have liked to have just a shoot around just so we could put something in place.

"I figure it was pretty tough for some of the guys who had flown in today, who had played last night."

Wright agreed with Fisher that he would have liked more time for preparation.

"If we had got together just to do a shoot around for an hour, hour and a half today, just put in some basic counter-balance plays, some basic sets to get the guys familiar with what we are trying to do I think it would have been better for the game," he said.

Abney, Farley and Mike Helms shot the World out to a 29-18 lead early, before Anstey and Ben Pepper hit back for the Aussies to tie it up at 34-34 at the first break.

During the second term Abney and Farley continued to menace the Aussie defence, but Newley and Mackinnon emerged for the home side to make it 72-68 at the main break.

In an attempt to break the game open both sides lifted the intensity after halftime but it was the World who looked the more cohesive unit to move out to a 102-94 lead on the three quarter time buzzer.

In a thrilling final term Anstey and Newley produced some determined all court play to give the Aussies every chance of winning, but some composed long range and free-throw shooting from Carlos Powell, Farley and Tucker clinched the game for the World.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP