2026 NBA All-Star Game: Odds, Picks & Hartstein’s Expert Predictions

Los Angeles is set to host the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday evening, but this year’s contest will look markedly different than previous iterations. The league is implementing a round-robin tournament format, pitting three teams – USA Stripes, USA Stars, and Team World – against each other in a battle for supremacy.

Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. According to the latest odds from FanDuel, USA Stripes are slight favorites at +155, closely followed by Team World at +160, and USA Stars at +200. The opening matchup will see USA Stripes facing USA Stars with a spread of -2.5, while Team World is favored by -2.5 against USA Stars. The tournament concludes with Team World as -1.5 point favorites against USA Stripes.

The revamped format divides the 28 All-Stars into two American squads and one international roster. Each team will participate in 12-minute games, with the top two teams based on record advancing to a championship game. In the event of a tie, point differential will serve as the tiebreaker.

Team USA Stars boasts a roster of rising stars, including Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey, and Chet Holmgren. Team USA Stripes features a more veteran lineup, headlined by LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jaylen Brown, and Jalen Brunson. Team World is led by international stars Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Victor Wembanyama, though the team has been impacted by injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

SportsLine analyst Larry Hartstein has released his predictions and betting advice for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, identifying a critical x-factor that could swing the outcome. Hartstein, SportsLine’s senior analyst and a founding member of the Early Edge podcast, enters the All-Star break on an 8-5 run on NBA props, demonstrating a proven track record of success.

The shift to a round-robin tournament represents the latest attempt by the NBA to revitalize its All-Star Game, which has faced criticism in recent years for a lack of competitive intensity. The league has experimented with various formats in an effort to increase engagement and excitement for both players and fans.

The composition of each team offers a compelling narrative. Team USA Stars, with its youthful energy and burgeoning talent, will look to challenge the established order. Team USA Stripes, relying on the experience and star power of its veterans, aims to demonstrate its continued dominance. And Team World, despite the absence of key players, seeks to showcase the growing global reach and talent within the NBA.

The injury situations surrounding Team World are particularly noteworthy. The loss of both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander significantly impacts the team’s potential, forcing other players to step up and fill the void. However, with Jokić and Dončić leading the charge, Team World remains a formidable contender.

Hartstein’s analysis suggests that a key element will determine the ultimate winner. While the specific details of his prediction are available at SportsLine, his expertise and consistent success in NBA betting provide valuable insight for those looking to make informed wagers on the game.

Rosters:

USA Stars (+200)
Scottie Barnes
Devin Booker
Cade Cunningham
Jalen Duren
Anthony Edwards
Chet Holmgren
Jalen Johnson
Tyrese Maxey

USA Stripes (+155)
Jaylen Brown
Jalen Brunson
Kevin Durant
Brandon Ingram
LeBron James
Kawhi Leonard
Donovan Mitchell
Stephen Curry (injured)

Team World (+160)
Deni Avdija
Luka Dončić
Nikola Jokić
Jamal Murray
Alperen Şengün
Pascal Siakam
Karl-Anthony Towns
Victor Wembanyama
Norman Powell
Giannis Antetokounmpo (injured)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (injured)