The Washington Wizards’ John Wall had a record 22 assists and picked up the MVP award, while rising star Blake Griffin scored 14 points as the rookies rallied to beat the sophomores 148-140 in the NBA all-star Rookie Challenge.
Wall posted 22 assists, while Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds for the first-year players, who were facing a star-studded group of NBA players in their second season in the league.
“We were trying to work together,” Cousins said of Wall. “He wanted to break the assist record and I wanted to be MVP.”
Photo: EPA
Wall, a first-round pick of Washington, surpassed Chris Paul’s previous rookie challenge record of 17 assists in 2007.
Wall’s favorite target on Friday at the Staples Center was Cousins, but Wall also connected several times with Blake Griffin at the side of the basket, which the Los Angeles Clipper was able to finish off with some impressive two handed dunks.
“I didn’t get to go to practice today, so that was all on the fly,” Griffin said. “[Wall] is a great passer, so he made it easy for me. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I’m making the best out of it. Being home for the All-Star weekend is a lot of fun.”
Photo: Reuters
Griffin went seven-of-10 in just under 14 minutes of playing time to kick off a busy weekend. He was to take part in the slam-dunk contest yesterday, before playing in the main All-Star game today. He is favored to win the dunk contest and is also the early favorite to win the NBA rookie of the year award.
James Harden scored 30 points for the sophomores, while San Antonio’s DeJuan Blair had 28 points and 15 rebounds.
The rookies won the annual contest for the second consecutive year after seven straight victories by the second-year players. The 288 total points was the most ever in the rookie-sophomore game.
Earlier on Friday, Canadian teen singer Justin Bieber was named MVP of the All-Star Celebrity game.
The 16-year-old teen singing sensation had eight points, four assists and two rebounds for the West team, which lost 54-49 to the East.
The All-Star Celebrity game features former NBA players, WNBA players, actors and singers. It precedes the NBA All-Star game tonight.
Retired player Scottie Pippen led the East team with 17 points and had what could have been the defensive highlight of the night — a third-quarter block of Bieber.
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