| | Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- The Midsummer Night's Magic all-star
basketball game returned to its starting place of 15 years ago on Sunday, capping three days of events to raise college scholarship funds for an
additional 35 minority students.
The founder of the game, Magic Johnson, was co-coach and scored
six first-half points for the winning blue team -- which defeated
the red team, directed by former L.A. Lakers player and coach Kurt
Rambis, 170-160 at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.
Steve Francis of the Houston Rockets led the winners and both
teams with 35 points. Francis and blue teammate Baron Davis of the
Charlotte Hornets scored some spectacular dunks in the second half,
as neither team paid much attention to defense.
The Golden State
Warriors' Larry Hughes added 31 points for the winners, whose
co-coach was actor Samuel Jackson. Davis finished with 23 and Paul
Pierce of the Boston Celtics had 21.
The red team fell behind by 21 points early but rallied to trail
just 82-80 at halftime. Top scorers for the red squad were Dallas
Mavericks' rookie Courtney Alexander with 26, Shawn Marion of
Phoenix with 25, rookie Morris Peterson of Toronto with 22 and
Cutino Mobley of Houston with 22.
"It's a joy to play in this game. I can't say enough about this
charity," said Bo Outlaw of the Orlando Magic.
"It was a wild crowd, and brought back a lot of memories,"
Johnson said of the first game 15 years ago at Pauley, which
included himself and Larry Bird on the same team.
"It's not just financial support, but tremendous emotional
support is given to these kids," Johnson said of the funds raised
for the Magic Johnson Foundation Taylor Michaels Scholarship Fund.
Fifty of the scholarship winners were introduced during pauses in
the game, which followed a Friday childrens' Mardi Gras and benefit
concert, and a Saturday dinner and adult Mardi Gras at Paramount
Studios.
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