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Team Canada defends home court in Kevin Hart's unretirement

Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Comedian Kevin Hart pulled out every trick in the bag, but he couldn't deliver the win for Team USA.

Instead, it was Team Canada, coached by noted northern luminaries Drake, Steve Nash, and Jose Bautista, that took home the All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday night by a score of 74-63.

The brash, pint-sized Hart tried to rattle the (naturally) polite Canadians right out of the gate. Drake extended his hand for a handshake before tipoff, but the opposing head coach refused.

Related - VIDEO: Kevin Hart snubs Drake during All-Star Celebrity Game intros

Drake responded in kind to the poor sport, slapping the Philadelphia native with a yet another shot at rapper Meek Mill.

Related - VIDEO: Drake takes another shot at Meek Mill during All-Star Celebrity Game

Hart's team, however, looked listless against the Canadians. Save for a flurry of triples from comedian Jason Sudeikis, Team USA struggled to generate offense from a star-studded roster including the likes of Chauncey Billups and WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne.

Meanwhile, Drake's Canadians looked fluid and, frankly, competent. Arcade Fire lead singer Win Butler was a beast in the paint, tennis star Milos Raonic showed off his hops, and Tracy McGrady brushed off a slow start to supply a do-it-all throwback performance as Canada's de facto point guard.

Canada held a commanding 37-28 lead heading into halftime.

Pressed for options, Hart mysteriously disappeared to start the second half, only to return midway through the third quarter in uniform. Although technically illegal under any other rules of sanctioned basketball, the four-time MVP stepped off the bench and out of retirement to give the Americans a boost.

Related - VIDEO: Kevin Hart makes triumphant return to Celebrity Game

Hart, however, failed to make much of a difference. Team Canada continued to patiently play through the post, with the likes of actor Kris Wu, Butler, and McGrady holding down the fort in the face of an American comeback attempt.

Butler, who had 15 points and 14 rebounds off the bench, was named the game's MVP. He subsequently announced his retirement from the competition, ensuring he goes out on top.

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