Shaq’s OGs win new All-Star format

SAN FRANCISCO — The winning total last year: 211 points.

The winning total this year: 41 points.

An All-Star Game like none other — since it was three games, not one — still had plenty of flash and not a lot of fire. And in the end, Jayson Tatum had the dunk that decided a crown.

Shaq’s OGs won the first All-Star mini-tournament in NBA history on Sunday night, getting 15 points from Tatum and 12 from All-Star Game MVP Stephen Curry to beat Chuck’s Global Stars 41-25 in the final.

It was basically over early, and the halftime show — an 18-minute tribute to TNT — lasted longer than the game did. The Global Stars started the title game 0 for 10 from the field, 0 for 6 from 3-point range and fell into a quick 11-0 hole.

In a regular NBA game, that’s no big deal. In a first-to-40 game against some of the best players on the planet, that’s a problem.

Victor Wembanyama — the first-time All-Star who vowed that he would play hard, and did — led the Global Stars with 11 points in the final.

It was the debut of the All-Star mini-tournament format: four teams, three games, with only 40 points needed to end each contest.

The league went to the tournament format of untimed, short games with hopes that asking All-Stars to play fewer minutes would lead to better competition. Last year’s game in Indianapolis had a 211-186 final score, setting a slew of records but prompting the league to take action after years of urging players to take the exhibition a bit more seriously.

And no, there wasn’t exactly a playoff-type intensity. Or at least, not much of it.

The OGs were without LeBron James, who was ruled out earlier Sunday because of ongoing left foot and ankle discomfort. James was not replaced on the roster, meaning the OGs had seven players available.

Mac McClung pulls off dunk three-peat

Mac McClung will leave it up to others to decide where he ranks among the best dunkers ever. When it comes to the dunk contest, there is no doubt.

The G League star and dunk maven put on a remarkable show at NBA All-Star Saturday night by recording perfect scores of 50 on all four of his jaw-dropping, creative dunks to become the first player to win three straight dunk contests.

“It kind of feels like a blur,” he said. “It’s something I love doing. That’s where my creativity comes is I genuinely love this contest and I love to dunk.”

Miami’s Tyler Herro edged out Golden State’s Buddy Hield to win the 3-point contest at the NBA’s All-Star Saturday night.

Damian Lillard missed a chance to join Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players to three-peat as 3-point champions, with his score of 18 falling one point short of Herro for the final spot in the three-person final.

Cleveland duo Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell teamed up to knock off hometown heroes Moses Moody and Draymond Green to win the Skills Challenge crown.

Izzo passes Bob Knight

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Michigan State’s Tom Izzo followed one of the most disappointing losses of his coaching career with a record-setting victory.

The No. 11 Spartans came from behind to beat Illinois 79-65 on Saturday night for Izzo’s 354th career Big Ten victory, breaking former Indiana coach Bob Knight’s record of 353 conference wins.

“What a win,” Izzo said. “You talk about the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

“We disappointed so many people (Tuesday) when we lost to Indiana at home. It was one of the worst defeats of my career because of the way we played. To pick ourselves off the ground after that loss and win in this environment after falling behind by 16 points (in the first half) was incredible.”

UConn ends South Carolina’s long streak

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Azzi Fudd scored 28 points and No. 7 UConn ended No. 4 South Carolina’s 71-game home winning streak with an 87-58 victory Sunday.

Sarah Strong added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Huskies (24-3), who had lost their past four to the Gamecocks.

Elsewhere:

Madison Booker scored 16 points and No. 3 Texas overcame a woeful shooting start to rally for a 65-58 victory over No. 5 LSU.