Miami Heat guard LeBron James (6) is guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 90-84. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - LeBron James and Kevin Durant were leading the 2013-2014 season NBA All-Star voting according to first voting returns of the NBA on Thursday.

James had collected 609,336 votes, a little more than Durant, who had 607,407 votes.

The Lakers' Kobe Bryant and the Clippers' Chris Paul were leading the West's backcourt race. The Pacers' Paul George was listed second in the Eastern Conference.

The All-Star Game was scheduled to be held in New Orleans on Feb. 16.