NBA NEWS

Timberwolves G LaVine repeats as dunk champion

The Sports Xchange

February 13, 2016 at 8:55 pm.

TORONTO — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine needed to be perfect more than once and needed two extra rounds to become the repeat champion of the NBA All-Star Game slam dunk contest on Saturday.

He defeated Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, who matched his perfection until his final dunk.

“We should share the trophy because he’s done some stuff I’ve never seen before,” LaVine said.

LaVine joined Michael Jordan (1987-88), Jason Richardson (2002-03) and Nate Robinson (2009-10) as the only solo back-to-back winners of the contest.

LaVine also was MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, leading the U.S. team over the World team 157-154 when he scored 30 points.

LaVine started in the first round with a spectacular behind-the-back dunk that earned 10s from all five judges. The 50 points put him ahead of Gordon (45), guard Will Barton (44) of the Denver Nuggets and center Andre Drummond (36) of the Detroit Pistons.

Drummond was eliminated when he got 39 from his second dunk. Barton scored 30 on his second dunk for a total of 74 and also was out of the contest.

Gordon’s dunk after taking the ball off the head of the Magic mascot earned him 49 points for a total of 94. LaVine earned 49 for his second dunk in which he stared his leap from the foul time for a total of 99. Each time the judge who gave the nine was Shaquille O’Neal.

LaVine and Gordon met in the final.

Gordon earned a perfect 50 for his first final-round dunk with a hand behind the head. LaVine also earned 50 for his first dunk of the final.

Gordon again scored 50 for his second final-round dunk taking the ball from the mascot and taking the ball under his legs before making his dunk. LaVine’s windmill dunk also earned a 50.

It was the first time there had been four consecutive 50s in the contest.

Gordon picked up yet another 50 with his reverse windmill dunk but LaVine matched the 50 again.

The two had to go a second extra round. Gordon scored 47 on his dunk, while LaVine scored a 50 on his between-the-legs dunk to win.

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