In 2026, the NBA has truly upped the ante for All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. Moving away from the traditional East vs West or captain-led drafts, the league has introduced a high-stakes round-robin tournament for the 75th edition of the showpiece event. This new format features three teams: two American squads (USA Stars and USA Stripes) and a powerhouse Team World.
With the action taking place at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome on Monday (AEDT), punters have a fascinating new puzzle to solve. Here is our betting preview and tip for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game!
NBA All-Star Game 2026: Tournament Preview & Betting Tips
The New Format: Why It Matters
The league’s goal is clear: bring back the competitive fire. The three teams will play a series of 12-minute games. In the first three games (the round-robin phase), each team plays the other once. The two teams with the best records (or best point differential in the event of a three-way tie) then advance to a final Championship Game to decide the winner.
For punters, this change is significant. Shorter games often lead to higher intensity, and the round-robin nature means teams cannot afford a slow start. The financial incentive ($125,000 for each player on the winning team) is also at an all-time high, which should curb the "no-defence" trend seen in previous years.
Now let’s take a look at each team’s chances!
Team World ($2.55)
Led by the terrifying frontcourt of Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, Team World enters as the slight betting favourite. Even with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined by injury, this roster is loaded with skill and size. Luka Doncic serves as the primary floor general, and with Karl-Anthony Towns and Alperen Şengün providing depth, Team World has a clear advantage in the paint. Their ability to dominate the glass and create easy buckets through Jokic’s passing makes them the team to beat.
USA Stripes ($2.60)
This is the "Veteran" squad. Boasting Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Donovan Mitchell, the Stripes have the most "clutch" experience on the floor. While LeBron James' status is a talking point, the addition of De’Aaron Fox as an injury replacement (filling in for Stephen Curry) gives them a much-needed injection of speed. If the games come down to mid-range shot-making and half-court execution, the Stripes are the most reliable unit.
USA Stars ($3.00)
The "Young Guns" squad is the outsider, but they shouldn't be dismissed. Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, and Tyrese Maxey provide explosive scoring that can turn a 12-minute game on its head in a matter of possessions. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Duren will have their hands full with Team World's size, but the Stars will look to play at a breakneck pace to tire out the older squads.
Betting Prediction & Tip
While the USA Stars offer value at $3.00, it is difficult to look past the sheer talent and synergy of Team World. In an All-Star environment, having the world's best passers (Jokic and Doncic) alongside a defensive unicorn like Wembanyama is a cheat code. Wembanyama, in particular, seems motivated to establish himself as the new face of the league, and the shorter game format suits his high-energy defensive style perfectly.
The international stars have historically taken these "World vs USA" matchups more seriously, and with the championship format on the line, expect the Jokic-Wemby connection to be too much for the American squads to handle.
