NBA All-Star Game Semifinals: Picks, Predictions and Odds

After years of high-scoring, uncompetitive All-Star Games, the NBA has drastically overhauled the format for the 2025 edition.

This year’s game in San Francisco features a tournament format, splitting the 24 All-Stars into three teams.

Those three teams - drafted by Inside the NBA pundits Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley - meet Friday’s Rising Stars tournament winners.

We have tips for both semifinal matchups, along with a look at the outright odds.

NBA All-Star Game Semifinals betting picks and predictions

Team Shaq -6.5 (-120) vs. Team Candace

The 2024 Draft Class was notoriously weak, so this may have been the wrong year to invite the Rising Stars into the All-Star Game.

Candace Parker’s young side face Shaq’s OGs, including LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant.

An injury to Anthony Davis leaves Shaq’s side without a center, but they have an incredible array of scorers.

Shaq’s roster also includes Boston Celtics pair Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, plus Damian Lillard, James Harden and Kyrie Irving.

Team Candace’s lack of shooting should ensure Shaq’s side race to the 40-point target.

LeBron James 3+ assists (-115)

LeBron has stepped back as a scoring force, but he’s been an elite creator this season. He’s averaging 9.0 assists per game for the Lakers, the third-highest total across his 22-year career.

He has made sure not to overwork himself in recent All-Star Games, playing under 20 minutes in four of the previous five.

However, he’s made three or more assists in seven consecutive All-Star Games.

He will spend plenty of time ballhandling and he’s surrounded by some of the greatest scorers the NBA has ever seen. He should comfortably rack up three assists.

Damian Lillard 10+ points (+290)

Lillard has made a splash at All-Star Games in the past. He scored 32 points in 2021, 26 in 2023 and 39 last year.

This semifinal could turn into a three-point contest between himself and Curry, so Lillard looks good to hit double-figures in this game.

Team Kenny ML (+145) vs. Team Chuck

Charles Barkley amassed an impressive roster, including the three MVP favorites in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

However, Jokic has never been one to make an effort at All-Star and Giannis has been ruled out through injury.

That could leave Chuck’s team a little short, especially as they lack a real on-ball defender.

Kenny Smith’s side don’t have the same superstar talent as Chuck or Shaq, but his young stars could be the most motivated of the three teams.

His roster includes four of the eight Three-Point Contest entrants, while Jaren Jackson Jr, Jalen Williams and Evan Mobley offer a solid defensive set-up.

Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards can decide a game on their own, so their pairing in the backcourt makes Kenny’s crop look well-priced to progress.

Given their blend of shooting and defense, his team are a tempting +500 shot to win outright. 

Jalen Brunson 10+ points (+180)

Brunson is used to being the star of the show in New York and I can see him making this team his own.

At 28, he’s the oldest player on a young team and as a second-time All-Star he still has a point to prove.

Chuck’s side lacks a defender that can shut down Brunson and the guard is a high-volume shooter and he gets to warm-up in Saturday’s Three-Point Contest.

Back him to stand out from the pack and reach double-figures.

NBA All-Star Game Semifinal odds

Team Shaq	-525 ML
Team Candace	+390 ML
Spread	Team Shaq -6.5
Total Points	O/U 72.5

Team Kenny	+145 ML
Team Chuck	-170 ML
Spread	Team Chuck -3.5
Total Points	O/U 75.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.