All-Star Grades: 3-point contest

ByKEVIN PELTON
February 14, 2016, 5:20 AM

Grades: Rising Stars | Celebrity | Skills | 3s | Dunk | East | West

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Stephen Curry, Warriors | Grade: A

Results: First round, 21; Final round, 23

Analysis: While he didn't win, Curry still showed off his shooting prowess. Needing to make his last two shots to advance to the final, Curry calmly swished both of them. He also made nine in a row at one point in the first round and scored 23 in the final -- better than anyone who doesn't play guard for the Warriors.

Klay Thompson, Warriors | Grade: A+

Results: First round, 22; Final round, 27

Analysis: The leading scorer in both rounds, Thompson made all five of his attempts from the final moneyball rack -- worth two points apiece -- to defeat his fellow Splash Brother in the final. Thompson actually beat Curry with one shot to go, and briefly celebrated before returning to finish off his round with a score of 27, tying Curry's total from last year.

James Harden, Rockets | Grade: B

Results: First round, 20; Tiebreaker, 8

Analysis: After a solid opening-round score of 20, Harden made a strategic misstep in the tiebreaker by putting his moneyball rack at the top of the key. Harden didn't get to the last two-point shot and was eliminated.

C.J. McCollum, Blazers | Grade: C

Results: First round: 14

Analysis: McCollum rallied from a slow start -- so slow, it included a rare airball on the opening rack -- to make six in a row at one point before settling for a score of 14.

Kyle Lowry, Raptors | Grade: C+

Results: First round: 15

Analysis: Loud "Let's go Lowry!" chants from a supportive Air Canada Centre weren't enough to help Lowry advance. Despite a good run late, he was eliminated with a score of 16.

J.J. Redick, Clippers | Grade: B

Results: First round, 20; Tiebreaker, 9

Analysis: After losing points last year for stepping on the line, Redick managed to avoid long 2s this time around. After a perfect opening rack, Redick looked as if he was on the way for a huge round before missing eight of his next nine shots. He still scored 20, but was eliminated in the 30-second tiebreaker, in which his relatively slow pace hurt him.

Khris Middleton, Bucks | Grade: C-

Results: First round: 13

Analysis: In his first 3-point contest appearance, Middleton never seemed to find his footing and was eliminated with a score of 13.

Devin Booker, Suns | Grade: B+

Results: First round, 20; Tiebreaker, 12; Finals, 16

Analysis: The youngest player in the entire NBA, let alone the 3-Point Contest, Booker showed poise and shooting beyond his years. He scored 12 points in 30 seconds of a tiebreaker to eliminate James Harden and J.J. Redick and join the Splash Brothers in the Finals. Booker's run ended there with a more disappointing round of 16.