NBA All-Star Weekend is built for highlights, but it is also one of the trickiest stretches on the betting calendar. Rotations are weird, minutes are short, effort can swing by the quarter, and the formats keep evolving.
That said, NBA sportsbooks still hang numbers, and if you treat these markets differently from a normal slate, there is value to be found. Below is a breakdown of the key contests, the posted odds, what happened last year, and how to think about 2026.
All-Star Game 2026 – Tournament Winner
- World +135
- USA Stripes +175
- USA Stars +220
The headline market is the tournament winner, and the odds for betting on the NBA All-Star Game are telling us the same story the league has been leaning into: international talent is not a novelty anymore, it is a core part of the event. The World side sits as the favorite at +135, with USA Stripes (+175) and USA Stars (+220) behind them.
Last year matters here because the NBA already showed it wants this game to feel more like a competition than an exhibition. In 2025, Shaq’s OGs won the first mini tournament-style All-Star format, beating Chuck’s Global Stars 41 to 25 in the final, with Stephen Curry named MVP.
For 2026 projections, start with motivation and roster balance. Tournament formats reduce randomness a bit because one hot stretch can decide a short game, and depth can matter less than star shot-making.
The favorite (World) is priced like a team with the best top-end talent and the highest overall cohesion. If you prefer a U.S. side, the best angle is usually price-based, not “USA always wins.” Between Stripes and Stars, you are looking for the team with more playmaking and shooting because short games punish empty possessions.
Celebrity Game: Team Antetokounmpo vs Team Anderson
- Team Antetokounmpo -400
- Team Anderson +300
Celebrity Game betting is mostly about talent concentration. A single former high-level hooper or a celebrity who actually plays can break it. The market has Team Antetokounmpo as a heavy favorite with -400 moneyline odds, implying they have more real basketball ability on the floor.
Last year, Team Bonds beat Team Rice 66 to 55 in the 2025 Celebrity Game, with Rome Flynn earning MVP honors.
For 2026, lay big chalk only if you trust the roster edge is real. Otherwise, the plus money side can be the sharper bet in a low information event, especially if you see early reports that the underdog has the best athlete or the most experienced player.
Rising Stars Challenge
Team Melo vs Team Austin
- Spread: Team Melo -5.5 (-110), Team Austin +5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Team Melo -340, Team Austin +270
- Total: O72.5 (-110), U72.5 (-110)
Team Vince vs Team T Mac
- Spread: Team Vince +2.5 (-110), Team T Mac -2.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Team Vince +120, Team T Mac -140
- Total: O74.5 (-110), U74.5 (-110)
Rising Stars is one of the best All-Star betting products because the players have something to prove. Effort is usually higher than the main event, and coaching matters more. Last year, Team C won the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars event and advanced to All-Star Sunday, with Stephon Castle named Rising Stars MVP.
For the 2026 lines, Team Melo is priced like a clear mismatch, while Vince vs. T-Mac is closer. Totals depend heavily on the target score and pace, but generally you should lean toward overs when the teams are guard-heavy and unders when they are big, heavy, or turnover-prone.
With All-Star style spacing and short bursts of shot-making, overs can look attractive, but do not force them. If the format encourages half-court sets or a target score finish, the late-game pace can slow.
Rising Stars Winner 2026
- Team T Mac +160
- Team Melo +200
- Team Vince +225
- Team Austin +900
This market is the cleanest way to bet the whole Rising Stars event. Team T Mac is the favorite at +160, but Team Melo (+200) and Team Vince (+225) are right there. Team Austin at +900 is your longshot. If you want the underdog, the best case is a lineup with multiple creators who can win a short game with shot-making. If you cannot tell, stick to the top three prices.
Three Point Contest Winner
- Kon Knueppel (CHA) +275
- Damian Lillard (BOS) +450
- Jamal Murray (DEN) +600
- Donovan Mitchell (CLE) +650
- Tyrese Maxey (PHI) +700
- Devin Booker (PHX) +750
- Norman Powell (MIA) +800
- Bobby Portis (MIL) +1200
The three-point contest is a variance, but it is not random. Rhythm shooters and quick set mechanics tend to travel best. Last year, Tyler Herro won the 2025 Starry 3 Point Contest, stopping Damian Lillard from a three-peat.
For 2026, Kon Knueppel at +275 is the favorite, which usually signals strong expectations of pure shooting. Lillard at +450 still commands respect because experience matters in this event. If you are hunting value, look for the guys with repeatable form and fewer “slow gather” movements. Also consider that one bad rack can bury a favorite fast, so spreading small plays across two shooters can be smarter than one big bet.
Slam Dunk Contest 2026
- Jase Richardson (ORL) +200
- Carter Bryant (SAS) +225
- Jaxson Hayes (LAL) +260
- Keshad Johnson (MIA) +350
The dunk contest is part creativity, part execution, part judging. Last year, Mac McClung won again, becoming the first to win three consecutive NBA Slam Dunk titles.
This year’s field is priced tightly, suggesting no runaway favorite and plenty of uncertainty. The simplest betting lens is: who has the best combination of bounce and consistency.
You can have the best dunk in the building, but if you need six attempts, you bleed momentum and goodwill. Favorites like Richardson (+200) and Bryant (+225) are priced for both upside and expected execution, while Johnson (+350) is the longer shot who likely needs a signature moment to win.
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