Towns becomes 1st centre to win 3-point contest

Karl-Anthony Towns gave big men everywhere something to shoot for.

Minnesota's 7-footer became the first centre to win the 3-Point Shooting Contest, defeating seven guards during the NBA's All-Star Saturday and providing a memorable moment on a night the dunk contest barely got off the ground.

Towns, who has spent his entire career proving doubters wrong about his range, posted a 29 — the highest total in the competition — during the final round to defeat Atlanta's Trae Young and Luke Kennard of the Los Angeles Clippers, who tied for second with 26 each.

Golden State's Juan Toscano-Anderson was second as the dunk contest, once a marquee event that at times trumped the All-Star Game, fell flat.

A trio of Cleveland Cavaliers, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, won the Skills Challenge.

After his surprising 3-point win, Towns accepted his trophy at mid-court and immediately turned toward Hall of Fame centre Shaquille O'Neal sitting courtside in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

"I told you Shaq," Towns said. "Vegas got the odds wrong."

Towns was considered, well, a long shot among a field of shot makers that included Young, Kennard, New Orleans' CJ McCollum, Brooklyn's Patty Mills, Toronto's Fred VanVleet, Chicago's Zach LaVine and Memphis' Desmond Bane.

There have been other big men crowned 3-point champions, but Kevin Love (2012) and Dirk Nowitzki (2006) are considered power forwards.

"I think this is a nice little thing to put on that resume," Towns said. "Big man hasn't won in 10 years, and, of course, 10 years ago, a decade ago, who won it? The Wolves. It's coming back home where it belongs."

The dunk contest started with some promise and fizzled fast.

Orlando's Cole Anthony caused a stir when he swapped his