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Jazz guard Mike Conley Jr. wins NBA HORSE Challenge

Jazz PG outlasted Tamika Catchings, Chauncey Billups, Zach LaVine on way to victory

Mike Conley Jr. won the NBA HORSE Challenge, defeating Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine in the Final Round, H-O to H-O-R-S-E.

“To be able to compete with these guys, they were great opponents,” Conley said after winning. “It was just a fun environment to be part of it and give us all something to do in this time when we’re all just sitting around the house.”

Conley, who leaned on strong off-hand shooting — he said he writes right-handed, even though he’s left-hand dominant as a dribbler and shooter — previously defeated former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups in the semifinal. Billups also lost by three letters, going down on a two-handed, underhand “granny” free-throw.

Conley’s winning shot against LaVine, who had knocked off Chicago Sky sharpshooter Allie Quigley in the other side of the bracket, was the same layup over-the-backboard-while-sailing-underneath-it that beat WNBA legend Tamika Catchings in Round 1.

LaVine, who was on the ropes early after Conley opened with two straight tough makes for letters, acknowledged Conley’s prowess: “It came down to making shots and he made some very, very, very tricky ones.”

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