NBA Rising Stars 2016: Zach LaVine wins MVP as Team USA beat Team World
Celebrity game also took place earlier on frozen Friday
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Your support makes all the difference.Zach LaVine's 30 points powered Team USA to victory over Team World in the Rising Stars Challenge on the opening night of the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend in Toronto.
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard was the leading scorer on Friday night at the Air Canada Centre in a 157-154 victory for the American side.
The 20-year-old was named MVP of the game for rookies and second-year players and was one four US players who scored 20-plus points along with Jordan Clarkson (25), Devin Booker (23) and D'Angelo Russell (22).
LaVine said: "It was a lot of fun. I'm just glad we came out here and the USA team won because we lost last year."
LaVine will defend his slam-dunk contest title on Saturday night that he won last year in New York.
New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis and Denver Nuggets teenager Emmanuel Mudiay both scored 30 points in a losing effort for Team World. Toronto-born former No 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins, meanwhile, chipped in with 29 points and was given a rapturous reception by his home fans.
Earlier in the evening, Team Canada scored victory over Team USA at the Ricoh Coliseum in the exhibition Celebrity Game.
The Canadian side, coached by Toronto rapper Drake, held off a second-half fightback from the US team to kick-off the weekend's proceedings with a 74-64 win.
Even the best efforts of head coach Kevin Hart couldn't inspire the American side to victory. A four-time Celebrity Game MVP, the comedian and actor came out of retirement in the second half to step onto the court.
Hart's opposite number Drake joked: "I don't even know if he is on the active roster, but it's all a family affair so we'll let it slide."
Arcade Fire vocalist Win Butler was named MVP after scoring 15 points and grabbing 14 rebounds for the victorious Canadian team.
The Texas-born musician said: "I’ve lived in the great city of Montreal for 15 years. I’ve represented Montreal. If you guys want to fast-track my Canadian citizenship, hopefully this will help make me a permanent resident."
Butler's acceptance speech then turned political before he seemed to be cut off by the game's broadcaster ESPN.
"I just want to say that it’s an election year in the US," Butler said, at which point the ESPN theme music began playing. Butler continued: "The US has a lot they can learn from Canada in healthcare, taking care of people, and I think..."
ESPN anchor Sage Steele then interrupted: "So we’re talking about celebrities and not politics. Congratulations on your MVP."
After Saturday's skills challenge, slam-dunk contest and three-point contest, the main event of the weekend will take place on Sunday with the 65th NBA All-Star Game, the first to be played outside of the United States.
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