The NBA All-Star weekend is here and kicked off Friday night with the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge which is designed to let fans watch the biggest and brightest first and second-year players compete against each other.
In its third year, the World came from behind to defeat Team USA, 150-141, thanks to big performances from Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray and Buddy Hield of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Murray led all scorers with 36 points to go with 11 assists as he earned MVP honors, Hield was right behind as he chipped in with 28 points.
Playing in front of the home crowd, Hield admitted he had hoped to win MVP honors, but expressed his support of Murray who had a huge night.
“He got hot. Coach is like, ‘Give Jamal the ball,”’ Hield told reporters. “When a guy is hot, you can’t stop him from being hot. You can’t be selfish and say, ‘OK, I want to show out.'”
Latvian Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks added 24 points for the World.
Frank Kaminsky led the U.S team with 33 points as the 7-footer hit 9-of-13 3-pointers. Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota had 24 points and had one of the biggest highlights of the night as he slammed home a half-court lob from Phoenix guard Devin Booker.
Everybody was feeling it Friday night as the mascot for the Milwaukee Bucks drained a backwards halfcourt shot like it was nothing.
Everything's falling in New Orleans tonight! #BBVARisingStars pic.twitter.com/QlEJnLdunW
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2017
Jamal Murray goes HIGH for Buddy Hield!#BBVARisingStars @adidashoops pic.twitter.com/bdOB3y7FmE
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2017
Brogdon finds Simmons for the #AssistOfTheNight#BBVARisingStars pic.twitter.com/q0FOK9rdgq
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2017
Jonathan Simmons don't play. #BBVARisingStars pic.twitter.com/RLOBL1H53O
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2017
Get this man some water, @BeMore27 catches ? to lead Team World to 150-141 win! #BBVARisingStars
Scored a game-high 36 Pts! pic.twitter.com/lDdh8TEoQv
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 18, 2017
