Year after year, the NBA expresses frustration with its players for not competing harder in the All-Star Game.
The NBA then introduces a new format every few years to encourage actual effort. But aside from the few years of an Elam Ending, that effort has been spectacularly scarce.
The NBA is trying to find effort again this weekend. Whether or not it succeeds will be revealed at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 16.
NBA All-Star Game odds
Odds courtesy of bet365.
NBA All-Star Game format
The NBA has introduced a short tournament instead of an outright All-Star Game this year.
It turned to TNT to split up the rosters, a bold decision given how proudly and loudly Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal boast about not watching games, not enjoying the NBA in the 2020s, and even not knowing what teams many players are on.
True to form, Shaq drafted a roster entirely of veterans, “OGs.” Barkley gladly mispronounced many international players’ names in forming the “Global Stars.” And Kenny Smith actually expressed some knowledge about the modern NBA in forming the “Young Stars.”
Candace Parker nominally oversees the Rising Stars, though that roster came from the winning team in a similar tournament on Friday.
The Young Stars will play the Global Stars, first team to 40 wins. Then, the OGs will take on the Rising Stars with the same scoreboard goal.
The winners will meet in the championship, still playing to 40 points.
NBA All-Star Game best bets
Team Kenny vs Team Chuck
| Team Kenny | Team Chuck | |
|---|---|---|
| +165 | Moneyline | -200 |
| +4.5 (-110) | Spread | -4.5 (-110) |
| Over 75.5 (-110) | Total | Under 75.5 (-110) |
My best bet
Anthony Edwards 10+ points (-125 at bet365)
I'll explain below why I think Team Kenny can win this whole thing, but for this matchup alone, the prop market holds better value. Anthony Edwards should reach double digits against the Global Stars.
No one in the NBA is shooting better from deep this season than Edwards, even though he's recently suffered a slight lull. A few weeks ago, Edwards was sick and struggled upon his initial return. In his last five games, he's shot 37.1% from deep on 14 attempts per game.
Considering those rates to be struggling underscores just how well Edwards has been shooting this season.
Even in this format, no one should expect diligent defense from the All-Stars. Let’s be realistic — Nikola Jokic doesn't really want to play basketball even when the games actually matter.
Giving Edwards a little extra space will be costly, and he's playing too well not to make that count. Expect the Minnesota Timberwolves superstar to reach double digits tonight with relative ease.
Team Shaq vs Team Candace
| Team Shaq | Team Candace | |
|---|---|---|
| -525 | Moneyline | +165 |
| -6.5 (-115) | Spread | +6.5 (-105) |
| Over 73.5 (-110) | Total | Under 73.5 (-110) |
My best bet
Team Candace +6.5 (-105 at bet365)
If any one group is going to pour effort into tonight, it should be the Rising Stars. They won a four-team tournament on Friday to earn the chance to play, and now they're going against their idols.
Literally, these are their idols. Friday night’s MVP, Stephon Castle, was born two days before LeBron James began his second season in the NBA. Team Candace’s second-leading scorer on Friday, Keyonte George, was four when Steph Curry dazzled the world in March Madness. Dalton Knecht was six when Kevin Durant began his Rookie of the Year campaign.
If any one group is going to take it easy tonight, it should be the OGs. Come on now, they have been here, they have done that. James, Curry, and Durant flexed in the summer to win a gold medal in Paris. Winning a makeshift, one-night tournament does not hold the same allure.
Betting on the young guns to keep this within two possessions is a bet on effort, but leaning into that kind of variance is shrewd when an event is as unpredictable as a new-fangled exhibition.
Who will win the 2025 NBA All-Star Game?
My best bet
Team Kenny (+450 at bet365)
As of early Sunday afternoon, bet365 is offering a boost when betting on Team Kenny to win this All-Star format, raising the value to +500 from +450.
The shorter game to 40 should benefit the Young Stars. They have two of the best defenders in the NBA in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Evan Mobley, not to mention Jalen Williams.
They also have three ball-dominant guards who could each get scorchingly hot in Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, and Anthony Edwards. If just one of them dials it up tonight, that should be enough to propel Team Kenny to a title.
NBA All-Star Game rosters
Here are the full rosters for all four teams competing tonight:
It’s GAME DAY in The Bay! 🤩
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2025
🌟 Kenny's Young Stars vs. Chuck's Global Stars
🌟 Candace's Rising Stars vs. Shaq's OGs
The first-ever #NBAAllStar mini-tournament tips off tonight at 8:00pm/et on TNT! pic.twitter.com/7BmI8Tjry6
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
NBA All-Star Game MVP Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
 Steph Curry |
+500 |
 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
+800 |
 Victor Wembanyama |
+800 |
 LeBron James |
+850 |
 Anthony Edwards |
+1100 |
 Damian Lillard |
+1400 |
 Jayson Tatum |
+1400 |
 Kevin Durant |
+1500 |
| Jaylen Brown |
+1600 |
Past NBA All-Star Game MVP Winners
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Damian Lillard |
| 2023 | Jayson Tatum |
| 2022 | Steph Curry |
| 2021 | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2020 |  Kawhi Leonard |
| 2019 | Kevin Durant |
| 2018 |  LeBron James |
| 2017 |  Anthony Davis |
| 2016 | Russell Westbrook |
| 2015 | Russell Westbrook |
| 2014 | Kyrie Irving |
| 2013 | Chris Paul |
NBA All-Star Game trends
- Bob Petit and Kobe Bryant share the most All-Star Game MVPs all-time with four apiece.
- Sunday will mark LeBron James' 21st All-Star selection, an NBA record.
