The NBA All-Star weekend festivities will come to a close this evening with what is officially being called the 74th annual NBA All-Star Game. However, this year's format is far different than anything we've ever seen before, with four mini-teams set to compete in a single-elimination tournament tonight.
Three of the teams will be comprised of the All-Stars elected to the game via fan-vote, coached by the core of TNT's Inside the NBA crew (Shaq, Chuck, Kenny). The fourth team, however, is the champion of Friday's Rising Stars event (Team Chris), plus the addition of Amen Thompson (Team Mitch), now operating under the team name of Candace's Rising Stars, coached by Candace Parker.
Instead of a running clock, the first team to 40 points wins each game. Tipoff for the first matchup is set for 8 p.m. ET from the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Continue below for our NBA All-Star best bets and NBA picks for Sunday, February 16.
NBA All-Star Predictions, Picks, Odds: Sunday, February 16
- Team Shaq Moneyline (-480) vs. Team Candace
- Steph Curry 2+ Three-Pointers / Damian Lillard 2+ Three-Pointers (+240)
- Steph Curry – All-Star Game MVP (+550), Kevin Durant – All-Star Game MVP (+1800)
- Victor Wembanyama – All-Star Game MVP (+900)
Team Shaq Moneyline (-480) vs. Team Candace
By Joe Dellera
The NBA is TRYING to get the stars to give a bit of effort here, and even if the players do not totally care about winning, I do think they care about not being embarrassed.
Team Shaq is the OGs (all of the veterans), and they face off against the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge which is a team of young and upcoming players.
Not taking anything away from them. However, this is a spot where the young guys are completely outclassed.
These legends might not even have to try and still win, but if they do try, it won’t be close.
I’ll bet on them to avoid embarrassing themselves tonight and lay all of the juice.
Best Bet: Team Shaq ML (-480)
Steph Curry 2+ Three-Pointers / Damian Lillard 2+ Three-Pointers (+240)
By Alex Hinton
In his career, Stephen Curry has averaged 21.8 points in nine All-Star Game appearances. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard has averaged 22.3 points in seven All-Star games himself.
With the new format, neither of them likely will come close to those averages. However, they are still two of the most prolific shooters the game has ever seen and the hometown heroes.
In past All-Star games, we've seen the players make a concerted effort to get the ball to the player either playing in their hometown or whose team is hosting All-Star Weekend.
Curry is the Warriors representative while Lillard is from Oakland. Lillard is also the reigning All-Star Game MVP.
Curry helped the United States claim another gold medal last summer while playing with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum. I expect James to make a concerted effort to set up Curry and Lillard as the likely primary ballhandler.
If Curry and Lillard score tonight, they will likely do their damage from three. With that in mind, the odds are slightly more favorable for them to make two threes opposed to scoring six points each.
Parlay: Steph Curry 2+ Three-Pointers / Damian Lillard 2+ Three-Pointers (+240)
Steph Curry – All-Star Game MVP (+550), Kevin Durant – All-Star Game MVP (+1800)
The 74th edition of the NBA All-Star Game will tip off at 8 p.m. ET. This mini-tournament will feature 24 All-Stars divided among three teams. A fourth team of rookies who won the Rising Stars Challenge will round out the field.
What’s particularly interesting is that the NBA All-Stars were drafted into teams headlined by TNT’s Inside the NBA analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith. TNT’s Candace Parker will oversee the rookie team.
My first thought is that Shaq’s roster of OGs easily has the best collection of pure shooters: Curry, Durant and Lillard. Chuck’s Global Stars have the most size with Jokic, Wembanyama, Towns and Sengun. However, Young is really their only perimeter threat. Kenny's team's moniker, the Young Stars, is particularly fitting given their age and All-Star appearances.
Lastly, Team Candace is also likely to lack the experience to mount a legitimate challenge in the event. Thus, I’m not particularly surprised that Shaq’s OGs are favorites to win the competition at +100. However, we can find better options by identifying a potential MVP winner among Shaq’s OGs.
Although Shaq’s OGs could be at a disadvantage in the frontcourt, they have the perimeter players that can dominate their matchups.
Stephen Curry is the MVP favorite at +550, given that the game will take place on his home court.
While it’s difficult to see anyone upstaging Curry, Durant deserves some consideration with odds at +1800, given that he did help guide the Warriors to two titles with the Warriors, winning Finals MVP, even over Curry on both occasions.
Since these All-Star games tend to have some sort of narrative or theme around them, it makes sense that our MVP picks follow that tradition.
Best Bets: Steph Curry – All-Star Game MVP (+550), Kevin Durant – All-Star Game MVP (+1800)
Victor Wembanyama to Win All-Star Game MVP (+900)
There are reports suggesting that the NBA and the players will meet prior to the All-Star Game to emphasize serious performance in this contest. However, you don't have to tell Victor Wembanyama sh*t.
He's gonna play hard. He's on a team that could win it all. And he doesn't have too many teammates to worry about regarding MVP.
Nikola Jokic will be deferential. Pascal Siakam and Alperen Sengun won't do enough. Trae Young could actually help with his passing, you're not as worried about him as you'd like. And Giannis Antetokounmpo is injured.
The main players you're worried about are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Donovan Mitchell, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
I'll take my chances with Wemby at nearly +1000 odds.
Best Bet: Victor Wembanyama to Win All-Star Game MVP (+900)
NBA All-Star Rosters
Shaq's OGs
- LeBron James (Lakers)
- Jaylen Brown (Celtics)
- Steph Curry (Warriors)
- Kevin Durant (Suns)
- James Harden (Clippers)
- Kyrie Irving (Mavericks)
- Damian Lillard (Bucks)
- Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
- Anthony Davis (Mavericks, Out)
Coach: Shaquille O'Neal
Kenny's Young Stars
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks)
- Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)
- Cade Cunningham (Pistons)
- Darius Garland (Cavaliers)
- Tyler Herro (Heat)
- Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies)
- Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)
- Jalen Williams (Thunder)
Coach: Kenny Smith
Chuck's Global Stars
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
- Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
- Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
- Alperen Sengun (Rockets)
- Pascal Siakam (Pacers)
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)
- Trae Young (Hawks)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks, Out)
Coach: Charles Barkley
Candace's Rising Stars
- Stephon Castle (Spurs)
- Dalton Knecht (Lakers)
- Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies)
- Keyonte George (Jazz)
- Zach Edey (Grizzlies)
- Trayce Jackson-Davis (Warriors)
- Ryan Dunn (Suns)
- Amen Thompson (Rockets)
Coach: Candace Parker
