The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend is set to deliver excitement with a fresh twist on multiple events, including a revamped Rising Stars Game and a new All-Star Game format. With a mix of rising talents, elite shooters, and high-flying dunkers ready to put on a show, betting on All-Star Weekend presents some intriguing opportunities. From team and player analysis to value bets, here’s a breakdown of the best wagers for each event. Let’s dive in!
RISING STARS GAME ANALYSIS
For the first time in NBA history, the Rising Stars Game will have direct stakes in the All-Star Game, with the winning team advancing to compete in the main event. This structural change could significantly impact player effort levels and strategic play. Below are the participating teams and their respective rosters:
Team T (+350, Coach: Tim Hardaway): Brandon Podziemski, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Gradey Dick, Anthony Black, Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Tristan da Silva.
Team M (+160, Coach: Mitch Richmond): Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Bilal Coulibaly, Scoot Henderson, Toumani Camara, Yves Missi, Bub Carrington, Julian Strawther.
Team C (+220, Coach: Chris Mullin): Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht, Jaylen Wells, Keyonte George, Zach Edey, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Ryan Dunn.
Team G League (+350, Coach: Jeremy Lin): JD Davison, Mac McClung, Bryce McGowens, Leonard Miller, Dink Pate, Reed Sheppard, Pat Spencer.
Best Bet: Team Mitch (+160)
Team Mitch presents the most well-rounded roster, particularly from a defensive standpoint. The Thompson twins, Coulibaly, and Camara all excel at perimeter defense and transition play, allowing them to pressure opposing ball handlers and generate fast-break opportunities. Yves Missi provides a strong interior presence, which will be crucial against teams featuring traditional big men like Edey.
Offensively, the team has multiple ball-handlers in Henderson and Carrington, ensuring versatility in half-court sets. Strawther adds a reliable shooting threat, giving this squad the necessary floor spacing to complement its elite athleticism. Given the added motivation of earning a spot in the All-Star Game and the defensive upside of this roster, Team Mitch represents the most well-balanced and value-driven selection.
SKILLS CHALLENGE ANALYSIS
The Skills Challenge, the first event of All-Star Saturday, will feature four teams of two players competing in a series of drills designed to test ball-handling, passing, and shooting proficiency. The field includes a mix of established veterans, rising stars, and young prospects:
Team Cavs (+200): Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley
Team Rooks (+375): Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr
Team Spurs (+200): Chris Paul, Victor Wembanyama
Team Warriors (+280): Draymond Green, Moses Moody
Best Bet: Team Spurs (+200)
Team Spurs offers the strongest combination of experience and versatility. Chris Paul, one of the greatest floor generals in NBA history, brings elite passing and ball control, making him an ideal candidate for this format. While he may not possess the same athletic burst as the younger competitors, his precision and decision-making should provide a significant advantage in timed skill-based drills.
Victor Wembanyama adds a unique dynamic to this pairing. At 7-foot-4 with guard-like agility and shooting touch, he possesses a rare blend of size and skill that should allow him to navigate each station with ease. His ability to handle the ball and knock down shots at all three levels makes him an invaluable asset in a competition that often favors big men with guard skills—something we’ve seen in past winners like Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Considering CP3’s veteran savvy and Wembanyama’s generational talent, Team Spurs presents the best value at +200. If this is indeed Paul’s final All-Star appearance, expect him to approach the event with a heightened level of focus, making this duo the most well-rounded and competitive pairing in the field.
3-POINT CONTEST ANALYSIS
The 2025 3-Point Contest features a mix of proven long-range specialists and emerging perimeter threats. Here are the eight participants and their corresponding odds: Damian Lillard (+340), Darius Garland (+500), Buddy Hield (+500), Tyler Herro (+600), Norman Powell (+600), Cam Johnson (+700), Jalen Brunson (+750), Cade Cunningham (+1200).
Best Bet: Damian Lillard (+340)
Lillard is in pursuit of his third consecutive 3-Point Contest title, a feat that underscores his ability to thrive in this format. His effortless shooting mechanics, deep range, and ability to stay composed under pressure make him the most reliable option in the field. Unlike in-game shooting, where defensive pressure and shot creation play a role, the contest is purely about rhythm and stamina—two areas where Lillard has excelled in past competitions.
Buddy Hield, a former champion, is another strong contender, especially given his quick release. However, his home/road shooting splits this season (31.9% at home vs. 40.4% on the road) raise concerns about his ability to perform under the bright lights of All-Star Weekend.
With an unflappable demeanor and a track record of success in this event, Lillard is the safest bet at +340. Given the relative lack of elite volume shooters in the field, his chances of completing the three-peat look strong.
DUNK CONTEST ANALYSIS
Reigning champion Mac McClung (-210) enters as the overwhelming favorite to secure his third consecutive Dunk Contest title, with Andre Jackson Jr. (+500), Matas Buzelis (+700), and Stephon Castle (+800) as his primary challengers. While McClung’s dominance in past contests has been undeniable, the odds may not fully reflect the competitive balance of this year’s field.
Best Bet: Stephon Castle (+800)
Castle presents the best value in this market. His athletic profile—highlighted by an explosive vertical, fluid coordination, and ability to elevate effortlessly—gives him a strong foundation for success in this event. His dunking ability was on full display during his lone season at UConn and in his rookie campaign with the Spurs, where he has consistently showcased a combination of power and finesse at the rim.
One key factor in recent Dunk Contests has been the role of slow-motion replays in enhancing the impact of a dunk. McClung has benefited from this, as his technique and hang time have been magnified in post-dunk analysis. Castle possesses similar traits and could leverage the same advantage, making his long odds of +800 a glaring mispricing in the market.
While McClung remains the favorite, Castle’s combination of raw athleticism and ability to captivate judges with high-flying slams makes him an ideal value play. Given the potential for variance in subjective scoring and the unpredictable nature of the event, Castle at +800 is the most attractive betting option for All-Star Weekend.
NBA ALL-STAR GAME ANALYSIS
This year’s NBA All-Star Game introduces a four-team mini-tournament format, with Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley drafting their squads, while Candace Parker will coach the Rising Stars team if they win their preliminary matchup. The absence of Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo due to injuries alters the landscape of the competition. Here’s how the teams stack up:
Team Shaq (+105): LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, James Harden, Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving.
Team Kenny (+450): Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Tyler Herro.
Team Chuck (+185): Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Sengun, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young.
Parker’s Rising Stars Team (+900).
Best Bet: Team Chuck (+185)
Team Chuck offers the best value, primarily due to its size, versatility, and overall talent distribution. The trio of Jokić, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Wembanyama provides a unique combination of elite playmaking, interior dominance, and defensive length, creating potential matchup nightmares for opposing teams.
While Team Shaq’s roster boasts established stars like LeBron, Curry, and Durant, the dynamics of an All-Star Game often favor cohesion and effort over pure talent. The presence of SGA and Jokić—both leading MVP candidates—alongside Wembanyama, who is arguably the most impactful young player since LeBron James, makes this team particularly intriguing.
Additionally, Donovan Mitchell and Trae Young provide dynamic perimeter scoring, Siakam’s length enhances defensive versatility, and Sengun and Towns add depth to an already imposing frontcourt. The combination of elite passing, shot creation, and defensive flexibility suggests that Team Chuck has the highest ceiling in this format.
Another factor to consider is the potential playstyle of Team Shaq, which could focus on showcasing LeBron and Curry, particularly in front of Curry’s home crowd in the Bay Area. This could limit the team’s overall efficiency and create exploitable weaknesses.
Betting on All-Star Weekend comes with significant unpredictability, as motivation and effort levels play a crucial role in determining outcomes. However, Team Chuck’s mix of size, skill, and versatility provides the most balanced roster in this format, making +185 odds a strong value play.
As always, bet responsibly, and enjoy what promises to be an exciting and experimental All-Star Game.
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