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This year's NBA All-Star event won't consist of the classic one-off match between representatives of the Eastern and Western Conferences. Instead, it will host a mini round-robin tournament involving three teams, with the best two progressing to the Championship Game. The event will be staged at California's Intuit Dome, the home of the Los Angeles Clippers.
This key date in the NBA calendar always provides plenty of fast-paced action and entertainment, but the introduction of a time limitation could make this year's instalment all the more thrilling. Each match-up will only last 12 minutes, leaving teams no choice but to play on the front foot from the get-go. Every minute is crucial.
It's also gives basketball fans an opportunity to see the sport's very best go toe-to-toe, as the NBA's most talented players compete on the same court.
The 2026 All-Star weekend has some notable absentees, which enables some up and coming stars the chance to shine. The likes of Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are all missing, leaving the door open for players such as Brandon Ingram, Alperen Şengün, and De'Aaron Fox.
2026 NBA All-Star Tournament: Predictions
USA Stripes vs. NBA World — Donovan Mitchell to score Over 4.5 Points: 20/29 (bet365)
USA Stars vs. NBA World — Luka Dončić to score Over 4.5 Points: 4/6 (bet365)
USA Stars vs. USA Stripes — USA Stripes to win: 10/13 (bet365)
Odds valid at the time of publication and subject to change.
Ready to lead the scoring
Donovan Mitchell heads into the All‑Star Game in confident spirits, having ended the campaign as one of the league’s top scorers. The Cleveland Cavaliers star averaged 29 points per game during the regular season, and also consistently contributed approximately five rebounds and six assists in each of his 51 appearances. With game time restricted to just 12 minutes, his ability to quickly acquire points could be crucial to the USA Stripes' success.
Mitchell is an expert at creating shooting opportunities from both close range and distance, while his high usage rating – the frequency in which he is involved in his team's offensive efforts – makes him likely to score at least five points. He's also proven that he doesn't need much of the ball to make an impact; he has limited time in possession, but still delivers exceptional scoring stats.
Prediction: USA Stripes vs. NBA World — Donovan Mitchell to score Over 4.5 Points: 20/29 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Donovan Mitchell scores five points or more in the match.
Luka to find All-Star mode
Luka Dončić recieved more votes than any other player in the All-Star selection process, weighing in with more than 3.4 million endorsements from NBA fans. He's remained one of the league's highest scorers for the duration of this season, while his offensive usage stats are also extremely impressive. Therefore, expect Dončić to be a crucial part of the World Team's attacking proposition.
Although there's a question mark surrounding his current fitness, latest reports suggest that Dončić will participate in the All-Star tournament, albeit in a potentially reduced capacity. As he's demonstrated on countless occasions throughout his glittering career, the Slovenian ace doesn't need many minutes on the court to rack up a large number of points. Therefore, playing in a short match while carrying a niggling injury is unlikely to knock him off his stride. Expect him to comfortably score more than five points against the unfancied USA Stars.
Prediction: USA Stars vs. NBA World — Luka Dončić to score Over 4.5 Points: 4/6 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Luka Dončić score five points or more in the match.
Stripes to dominate the Stars
Equipped with several vastly experienced players and a handful of elite scorers, the Stripes are unsurprisingly favourites to come out on top in this all-American clash. Seasoned campaigners such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant are capable of controlling the pace and tempo at every stage of any given match, although the Lakers legend is unlikely to be part of the Stripes' starting line-up. Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, and Norman Powell are all prolific scorers, with each of these players posting significant points tallies this season.
The margin for error is extremely small in a 12-minute match, which cranks up the pressure on each team. The Stripes' wily veterans are capable of handling crucial in-game moments, enabling their younger talents to focus on efficient points scoring. This gives them a solid platform to work from, as they attempt to overwhelm their opponents with fast attacking play.
Prediction: USA Stars vs. USA Stripes — USA Stripes to win: 10/13 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if the USA Stripes defeat the USA Stars by any scoreline.
2026 NBA All-Star Tournament: Overall Winner
Odds valid at the time of publication and subject to change.
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Odds valid at the time of publication and subject to change.