The BIG 3 was ON FIRE fire over weekend -- with a ton of huge stars hitting the American Airlines Center in Dallas for the "BIG 3 Ballout" ... capped off with a live performance from T.I.
The place was rocking' ... with Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Gary Payton and more showing support for the league's intense 6-game showcase just 1 week before the playoffs begin. The championship game is Sept. 1 at Staples Center.
The basketball action was solid -- with stars like Tri State's Amare Stoudemire and Aliens' Greg Oden battling it out on the court .