The 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge in Cleveland will look a little bit different than it has in years past.
Let's dive into the odds, teams, new format and what to expect tonight, set for 8 p.m. ET.
NBA Skills Challenge Odds*
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Rooks | -125 |
| Cavs | +200 |
| Antetokounmpos | +320 |
*via DraftKings
Team Rooks
- Scottie Barnes (TOR)
- Cade Cunningham (DET)
- Josh Giddey (OKC)
Oddsmakers tabbed the rookies favorites.
Cunningham is the No. 1-overall pick from this past cycle, while Barnes and Giddey are doing a bit of everything for their clubs: The former is averaging 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, and the latter is averaging 12.1, 7.6 and 6.2, respectively.
Team Cavs
- Jarrett Allen
- Darius Garland
- Evan Mobley
The Cavs get their own roster with Cleveland hosting the weekend.
The entire Cavaliers club has been the biggest surprise up to the break, with a 35-23 record and No. 4 seed in hand.
Team Antetokounmpos
- Alex Antetokounmpo
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo
The trio of brothers rounds out the final group.
Thanasis plays with Giannis on the Bucks, while Alex, the youngest of the three, is in a G League stint with the Raptors.
Rules & Format
Round 1 (Shooting, All 3 Teams)
One player from each team shoots, while the other two teammates rebound.
Each shooter has 30 seconds to fire from five separate spots on the court, which range from 10-30 feet.
Also, each shooting location is designated a different value (one point, two points, and so one); players cannot shoot the same shot consecutively, either.
Every single player's individual scores will be calculated at the end. Whichever team has the most combined points wins Round 1, plus 100 Challenge Points.
Round 2 (Passing, All 3 Teams)
All three members of each team participate in the second-round passing challenge.
Over the course of 30 seconds, teams pass the ball through moving targets, which vary in both size and distance from the passers.
Similar to the shooting challenge, players cannot complete a pass into the same target on consecutive passes. The three targets are worth two, four and six points.
The winning team takes the round's challenge and 100 Challenge Points.
Round 3 (Team Relay, All 3 Teams)
The third round is a timed relay, involving all three participants of the team.
Every single member must complete five tasks in this obstacle course:
- Throw an outlet pass into a moving target from the baseline
- Dribble down the court through three moving pylons
- Make a short shot in the lane
- Complete a 3-pointer versus an automated defender
- Dribble to the opposite bucket and score however
The fastest team is awarded 200 Challenge Points and the relay round.
Round 4 (Half-Court Final, Two Teams)
The two teams that meet in the final round will compete in a half-court shot challenge.
Team 1 will go first. All three players in the group will rotate shots, until a half-court shot is made. There's a one-minute timer.
Team 2 then has a chance to beat Team 1's time.
Whichever team makes a half-court shot in the fastest time takes the Skills Challenge.
