In the second year of their new format, some of the NBA's brightest young stars took center stage at All-Star weekend. After the World took home 121-112 victory last season, the two sides put on a scoring show, with team USA coming away with a tight 157-154 win.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine took home the MVP award with 30 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The Orlando Magic had two representatives, Mario Hezonja for the World, and Elfrid Payton for the United States side in the game. Neither Magic guard were selected to start for their respective sides, but each saw plenty of time on the floor, with Hezonja being the much more productive Magic man.
Hezonja shined for the World team, flirting with a triple-double, finishing the night with 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists across nearly 24 minutes of game time. Payton didn't fair as well, finishing the game with no points -- the only player on either team to not score -- one rebound and one steal in 16 minutes of action.
The first half saw the United States team jump out early, thanks to hot shooting from beyond the arc. Los Angeles Laker Jordan Clarkson and Phoenix Sun Devin Booker combined to make nine three-pointers in the half, helping aid the US to an 88-79 halftime lead. Despite trailing at the break, Emmanuel Mudiay and Hezonja impressed for the World side, combining for 37 points in the half.
Out of halftime, the World side looked the better side, climbing back into the game thanks to stron play from Kristaps Porzingis and Andrew Wiggins. The two forwards combined for 36 of the teams 75 points in the half, helping the team nearly storm back from their halftime deficit. The United States team saw shots come up short more often than not, with the team knocking down only five of their 19 attempts from beyond the arc.
