Heat's Kapono wins Shootout with sizzling 24 in final round

LAS VEGAS -- Miami Heat forward Jason Kapono won the 3-Point Shootout on All-Star Saturday, beating stars Gilbert Arenas and Dirk Nowitzki with a final-round 24 -- just one shy of the event record.

Jason Kapono brings Alonzo Mourning to his feet with a swish from the corner. (AP)

Kapono, the fourth-year pro who finally blossomed with the Heat this season, tied Mark Price's final-round record and fell just one point shy of Craig Hodges' overall mark with an impressive performance leading off the last round.

"It's something that I dreamed of as a kid," Kapono said. "You watch Larry Bird and all those guys shoot, and obviously I learned early on that I wasn't ever going to be in on the slam dunk part of this (event)."

Memphis' Mike Miller was eliminated from the six-man competition despite posting an 18, the highest score by a first-round loser since 1996. Cleveland's Damon Jones and Dallas' Jason Terry also failed to advance from the first round.

The final round wasn't nearly as competitive after Kapono led off with his 24, making 11 straight early shots and finishing with six baskets in his last eight. He got ecstatic high-fives from Miami teammates Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning.

"I could definitely hear those guys on the sideline telling me to shoot it, all that good stuff," Kapono said. "It definitely helped me."

After defending champion Nowitzki managed a nine, Arenas posted a 17. Arenas was the runner-up in the event for the second straight year.

"Do I get a trophy for that?" the Wizards star asked.