CHICAGO — With a huge second half, USA Team beat World Team, 151-131, at the 2020 NBA Rising Stars game at the United Center.
USA Team shot 63% from the field, and eight of the 10 Americans who played scored in double-figures. They were led by Golden State Warriors rookie Eric Paschall, who scored 23 points on 10-for-13 shooting.
World Team was in control for most of the first half. The U.S. tied the game at 67 on a Zion Williamson dunk with 1:10 left in the second quarter and Williamson dislodged the backboard with another dunk shortly thereafter, but the World ended the half on a 14-4 run, capped a by Luka Doncic (Slovenia) buzzer-beater from beyond the midcourt line.
The lead was 12 midway through the third quarter when the U.S. bench went on a 27-5 run to turn the game around, with 21 of the 27 points being scored by Charlotte Hornets. Miles Bridges capped the run by tossing the ball off the glass and throwing it down with his right hand, and Team USA outscored Team World, 80-50, in the second half.
New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett (Canada) led World Team with a game-high 27 points and five assists. Doncic finished with 16 points and five assists, while fellow All-Star Trae Young scored 18 points and dished out a game-high seven assists. Bridges was named the game’s MVP, finishing with 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Williamson scored 18 points, but missed his three chances at a highlight dunk in the final minutes.
After six years of the U.S. vs. World format, the teams are even with three wins each.
