James Denton no slouch at All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday. Photo by K.M. Cannon.

Bad weather across the U.S. is causing a last-minute cancellation of tickets to the NBA All-Star Game this weekend.

One of the largest Las Vegas ticket brokers said more than a dozen callers canceled Thursday as storms in the Midwest and Northeast caused 2,900 flight cancellations.

Kenny Solky, president of lasvegastickets.com, said the weather "put a lot of seats back into circulation." He had more than 100 tickets come back; they're being sold for 50 percent of what the buyers had paid.

That's a windfall for many locals who were priced out of the game when high demand sent prices soaring to $10,000 to $15,000, Solky said.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Best Big Spender Story of the Day: The Roots performed a second show at the Hard Rock Hotel on Thursday when Michael Jordan coughed up big bucks for the band to do the extra show, which ended after 2 a.m. ...

Music mogul Jay-Z filed an affidavit Friday seeking an immediate injunction to shut down a party at Ice nightclub, which had advertised that he was hosting the event today. "He just ponied up $10,000 to stand behind the fact this party is bogus," said Las Vegas attorney Robert Reynolds. "This is a huge misappropriation of his name, likeness and trademark." ...

OPM nightclub at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace is separating the playahs from the players at Sunday's Ballers Ball, hosted by Gary Payton. A certified jeweler will be at the door, with testing equipment and eyepiece, to determine if the bling is the real thing. "If it isn't, you don't get in," said Branden Powers, OPM marketing director. ...

Thirty Years Ago This Week: The finalists of CBS-TV's slam-dunk competition at the NBA All-Star Game were Darnell Hillman, a reserve forward on the Indiana Pacers, and Larry McNeil, who was cut earlier in the season by the New York Nets. Each NBA team was permitted one entry. Hillman, who beat out Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the semifinals, won what many consider the first NBA slam- dunk title.

SIGHTINGS

At the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday at Mandalay Bay Events Center: Barry Bonds, Shaquille O'Neal, Amare Stoudamire and Tracy McGrady (all in street clothes), chatting it up with the fans; NBA legend Dominique Wilkins; pop singer Ciara, cheering on her boyfriend, Bow Wow; tennis great Boris Becker; Sheryl Swoopes; and golfer Michelle Wie. Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush left the game in visible pain, hopping on one foot. ... Is it over? Fueling more rumors of a split, "Dreamgirl" Beyonce Knowles was spotted having dinner with her sister at Okada (Wynn) on Thursday, while Jay-Z was dining at Nobu (Hard Rock Hotel). They were in separate cities on Valentine's Day. ... Kevin Federline's ex Shar Jackson and their children, checking into the Silverton on Thursday night. Word is Federline is joining them. ... Dennis Rodman, going back to the blond look at Venus Salon (Caesars Palace) on Friday. ... All-Star Kobe Bryant, shooting hoops and running drills with wide-eyed youngsters Friday at the Lied Memorial Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas. ... Partying at Tryst (Wynn) on Thursday: Kevin Spacey, LaDainian Tomlinson, Suge Knight, Bush, Carmelo Anthony, Warren Sapp, Champ Bailey, Javon Walker, Gabrielle Union, Jadakiss, Gary Sheffield, Ray Allen, Edgerrin James, Kenyon Martin, John Salley, Zach Randolph, Donyell Marshall, Dante Stallworth and Josh Bullock. ... Dallas Cowboys lightning rod Terrell Owens, after getting knocked out of Alonzo Mourning's eight-ball tournament at the Wynn on Thursday, whined to organizers that his opponent was a ringer. That after Owens taunted his opponent throughout the pool match. ... Owens and Bonds, dining with Palms owner George Maloof at Alize (Palms) Friday. ... At Tao (Venetian) for the Hudson Jeans and Creative Recreation footwear party: R&B singer Ne-Yo gave a surprise performance, belting out his hit track "So Sick." In the VIP area: Gene Simmons, FUBU creator Damon John, mini-mohawked Frankie Muniz and girlfriend JennyLee Berns ("Beauty and the Geek"), actress Melinda Williams with DJ D-Nice, Reverend Run from Run-DMC, and basketball great Julius Irving. At 3 a.m., rappers Big Boi of Outkast, Nelly, Jermaine Dupri and Tyrese arrived. Nelly was on the mic for nearly 20 minutes, performing several of his songs. ... At Moon (Palms) on Thursday for the NBA Street Homecourt launch party: Adam Morrison, Chris Bosh, Anthony, Richard Hamilton, Tony Parker, Steven A. Smith, Salley, Chauncy Billups, Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Shawn Marion, Allen, Chris Paul, Carlos Boozer and host Scoop Jackson. ... At the Palms' ghostbar: NFL All-Pro running back Larry Johnson with a big party. Also there: T-Wolves guard Ricky Davis. ... Ex-strip club mogul Mike Galardi, at N9ne Steakhouse on Tuesday, the day former Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone was sentenced to six years in federal prison on charges that included being Galardi's bagman in the G-sting political corruption case.

THE PUNCH LINE

"It's so cold, New York Knicks fans stayed for a whole game.'' -- David Letterman

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.