NEW ORLEANS — Jamal Murray scored 36 points and Buddy Hield, a New Orleans Pelicans rookie, added 28 to the delight of the locals as the World squad beat the U.S. 150-141 on Friday night in the Rising Stars Challenge.
The game featuring top rookies and second-year pros is the main event on the first night of NBA All-Star weekend.
Murray, a Canadian and Denver Nuggets rookie out of Kentucky, went 9 of 14 on 3-pointers and was voted the game’s MVP. Hield, a Bahamian, was 11-of-22 shooting overall, but just 3 of 12 from deep.
Latvian Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks added 24 points.
Frank Kaminsky of the Charlotte Hornets scored 27 for the U.S. team and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 22, highlighted by his dunk of Devin Booker’s half-court lob.
Brazil’s Schmidt gets NBA taste in Celebrity Game
Oscar Schmidt finally dipped his toes in the NBA.
The Brazilian basketball great and five-time Olympian joined a parade of retired NBA stars, current WNBA players, team owners, celebrity musicians and television personalities at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
A day after his 59th birthday, Schmidt went 2 for 2 in the game and scored four points. His East team beat the West 88-59.
“It feels good. Very good,” Schmidt said. “It was real emotional. I loved it. So I’m happy.”
Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry scored nine points for the East. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban went scoreless for the West, missing three shots but grabbing one rebound and making a steal.
Though drafted by the New Jersey Nets in 1984, Schmidt never played a minute in the NBA, preferring to continue to represent Brazil in the Olympics.
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