In the end, the hosts - Team Cavs - came out victorious in the 2022 Taco Bell Skills Challenge.
Rookie Evan Mobley nailed his first attempt from half-court, letting just 4.4 seconds off the clock, to help Team Cavs clinch it.
EVAN MOBLEY FROM HALFCOURT TO WIN #TacoBellSkills FOR TEAM CAVS IN CLEVELAND!#StateFarmSaturday #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/TKYL6eiafZ
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2022
His shot helped the Cavaliers' trio beat the time of 9.9 seconds recorded by the Team Rooks, consisting of Cade Cunnigham (Detroit Pistons), Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors) and Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder).
This new format of the Taco Bell Skills Challenge included three rounds before the finale of the halfcourt shot.
MORE: New rules, format of NBA All-Star Skills Challenge
Here's a look at how Team Cavs progressed through the three rounds to win the event.
Round 1: Team Cavs win Team Shooting
Team Rooks went first and set up a modest target of 32, which Team Antetokounmpos fell short off with their tally of 20.
Going last, Team Cavs easily went past their target.
Evan Mobley (18) and Darius Garland (21) had the hot hand for Team Cavs, while Jarrett Allen chipped in 5, as they finish with a score of 44 to take 100 Challenge points.
Evan Mobley and Darius Garland close out the first round of #TacoBellSkills with a show for the Cleveland crowd! 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2022
Team @cavs in the lead on TNT pic.twitter.com/5vMS172BPh
Round 2: Team Antetokounmpo win Team Passing
In the Team Passing round, Team Rooks and Team Antetokounmpos were tied as they both put up a tally of 88 while Team Cavs fell short with their total of 74.
In the tiebreaker, the Greek brothers won the Team Passing and get the 100 challenge points because they made more 'outlet passes'
Round 3: Team Rooks win Team Relay
With Team Rooks winning the final round of Team Relay, which was worth 200 challenge points, they sealed their place in the finale.
However, to decide the other team, a tiebreaker was necessary between Team Cavs and Team Antetokounmpo, both of whom were tied at 100 Challenge points.
Team Cavs win tiebreaker vs. Team Antetokounmpos
In the tiebreaker, guard Garland made sure it ended quick.
Darius Garland knocks down the tiebreaking 3 to send Team Cavs to the final round!
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2022
They'll face Team Rooks for the #TacoBellSkills title on TNT pic.twitter.com/WNkWqqdBOO
