The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will introduce major changes, both in player participation and format. Several young stars will make their debut, adding fresh energy to the event. In response to criticism about lackluster competition in recent years, the NBA has revamped the structure to enhance engagement. Instead of a traditional 48-minute game, the event will now feature a single-elimination tournament with three games played to 40 points.
NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley will coach the All-Star teams, while Candace Parker will lead a squad of Rising Stars Challenge winners. With a $1.8 million prize pool at stake, winning players will earn $125,000 each, while runners-up receive $25,000. The league has also scrapped the Elam Ending and the traditional East vs. West format in hopes of increasing intensity.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will be held at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, Feb. 16, with the Golden State Warriors hosting. Most events are at their home court, except the Celebrity All-Star Game on Feb. 14 at Oakland Arena. Three All-Star games are scheduled, starting at 8:20 p.m. ET, followed by 9:10 p.m., and the Championship Game at 10 p.m. TNT, TruTV, and Max will broadcast the event, featuring performances from Shaboozey, Noah Kahan, and others.
Shaq’s OGs vs. Candace’s Rising Stars: Preview
TNT revealed the semifinal matchups for the 2025 NBA All-Star mini-tournament. In Game 1, Kenny’s Young Stars will face Chuck’s Global Stars, while Game 2 features Shaq’s OGs against Candace’s Rising Stars. The winners of these matchups will meet in the championship, where the first team to score 40 points in each game will claim victory. The tournament leads up to the 74th NBA All-Star Game, airing Sunday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
The updated 2025 #CastrolRisingStars rosters! 🌟
— NBA (@NBA) February 12, 2025
Watch the action on Friday, 2/14 at 9:00pm/et on TNT. The two Semifinal winners will meet in the Championship and the champions will move on to compete in the #NBAAllStar mini-tournament on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 8pm/et on TNT. pic.twitter.com/9k7cgZxMXz
Shaq’s OGs boast an impressive lineup of seasoned superstars, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Jaylen Brown. Meanwhile, Candace Parker’s Rising Stars squad will be determined based on the results of the Rising Stars Challenge, a four-team competition taking place on Friday, February 14. This challenge will feature a mix of 10 rookies, 11 sophomores, and seven G League standouts. The winning team from this tournament will enter the All-Star event as underdogs but could carry momentum into the competition against seasoned veterans.
Shaq’s OGs vs. Candace’s Rising Stars: Odds And Best Bets
Shaq’s OGs are currently the market favorites in the matchup against Candace’s Rising Stars, with betting odds around +155 favoring the veteran-rich OGs over the underdog Rising Stars, who sit at roughly +650. Multiple sources, including OddsPortal and Sportsbet, underscore that the OGs’ roster, featuring proven All-Stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, offers a significant advantage over the youthful and relatively inexperienced Rising Stars.
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Betting experts and analysts from platforms like Audacy and BettingExpert recommend leaning toward Shaq’s OGs, citing their established track record in high-pressure exhibition formats. Despite minor roster adjustments due to injuries, analysts expect the OGs’ synergy and experience to deliver a more controlled performance, especially in a tournament format where every possession is critical. This consensus across multiple sportsbooks makes the OGs the clear best bet for punters looking to capitalize on the disparity in experience between the two teams.
Also Read: 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend: Complete Schedule Of Events In The San Francisco Bay Area
