NBA All Stars & Best Places to Wager

Fans in the Philippines are following the 2025-26 season closely, especially with the buzz around the NBA All-Star voting and the NBA All-Star game. Here, you’ll find all you need to know about this event, plus betting advice from our team of experts.

The NBA All-Star game is one of the most popular traditions in basketball. It brings together high levels of competition, entertainment, and fan interaction. Over the years, it has showcased legendary players and unforgettable performances from classic NBA All-Star teams. Fans enjoy looking back at NBA All-Star lineups, recognising that there are clear eras of dominance and power.

Here’s a look at the main moments and contests that define All-Star history:

• NBA All-Star Game: The centrepiece, traditionally featuring East vs West before moving to a draft format led by captains. Known for producing competitive finishes and high-scoring showcases.
• 3-Point Contest: First appearing in 1986, this quickly became a fan favourite. A long-range shootout, the likes of Larry Bird and Stephen Curry have produced unmissable drama.
• Slam Dunk Contest: Launched in 1984 and defined by moments such as Vince Carter’s masterpiece in 2000 and the duel between LaVine and Gordon in 2016.
• Rising Stars: Gives rookies the chance to shine. With the likes of Chris Paul and Luka Doncic, previous winners, this often gives a glimpse of future superstars.
• Skills Challenge: Introduced in 2003, tests dribbling, passing, and shooting ability.
• Shooting Stars: Took place between 2004 and 2015, this event used to pair NBA legends, current players, and WNBA stars in a shooting relay.
• G League All-Star Game: Offered exposure to emerging players from 2007 until it later merged with other events.
• All-Star Game MVPs: A record book of individual brilliance, from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Betting on the NBA All-Star weekend is different from wagering on regular-season or playoff games. That’s because defence takes a back seat while offence dominates in an exhibition-style setting. This makes totals and prop bets popular with fans. The main All-Star game in the NBA often comes with high scores and unpredictable shifts in momentum. Alongside this, other events such as the 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest add unique betting markets. Savvy bettors focus less on strict form and more on player motivation, recent shooting streaks, and matchups that lead to volatile, but entertaining, outcomes.

Key betting markets

The NBA All-Star events create one of the most varied betting slates of the season. It offers markets that look very different from those found in a standard league matchup. Fans who take the time to study the NBA All-Star voting results and follow NBA All-Star voting trends will use that knowledge to spot players who have the potential to dominate on the big stage.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the markets Filipino bettors need to know about:

• Match winner (odds): Although this is an exhibition game, sportsbooks will still offer odds on which squad will come out on top.
• Point total (over/under): The All-Star clash is always high-scoring, with totals often going over 300 points. This makes over/under betting extremely popular.
• Individual player totals: Bet on the likes of points, rebounds, and assists for a single star. This is usually influenced by how motivated they are in the exhibition setting.
• MVP of the All-Star Game: This market is always lively as the award usually favours high scorers or those producing real highlight moments.
• Contest betting: There are separate markets for winners of the 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, and other side events.

Analysis and predictions: what to pay attention to

Betting on the NBA All-Star game is less about rigid form and more about interpreting context. Unlike with the playoffs, factors like player motivation, recent health, and who captains the NBA All-Star teams can make a huge difference. Here’s a look at key areas that bettors in the Philippines should be watching:

• Player motivation: Some players are keen to use this stage to make a statement. In 2023, Jayson Tatum set a record with 55 points, while younger stars like Anthony Edwards treat the showcase as a chance to stand out. Looking at who has something to prove means more than season averages.
• Historical trends: The total points line is frequently over the 300 mark as defences are kept light. Since 2017, five of the last 7 All-Star clashes have exceeded that mark, and this shows bettors that history favours offence.
• Participant statistics: Checking stats can be helpful. If the likes of Curry are on a hot shooting streak or Jokic is piling up triple-doubles, their form will often translate into exhibition dominance.
• Team play style: Leadership certainly matters here. Captains like LeBron have historically drafted balanced rosters, while others have emphasised the importance of chemistry between familiar teammates.
• Insights and rumours: While not always reflected in the odds, whispers about a player targeting the NBA All-Star MVP or rumours that another will have limited minutes can have a major impact. Sometimes, the NBA All-Star reserves approach the night with more drive as they look to seize the spotlight from established players.

When looking at previous seasons, the NBA All-Star voting for 2026 will likely open in December and run until mid-February. This window gives fans in the Philippines time to get behind their favourites before the final NBA All-Star voting results are revealed.

The NBA All-Star game has often experimented with its format. In 2025, the league tested a four-team mini-tournament, which included Team Candace in the NBA All-Star, after the Rising Stars winners were promoted to join the showcase. The approach was innovative, but the reaction was mixed.

For 2026, there’s already a major change confirmed. The event will take on a USA vs World model, with three eight-man squads. Two will represent the USA, while the other will be international. The teams will compete in a round-robin with each game having shorter 12-minute quarters.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has long pushed for a more competitive NBA All-Star game. This is on the back of years of criticism that defence was absent and intensity was low. The changes for 2026 are designed to spark rivalry and bring greater meaning to the exhibition.

Fans can take part in NBA All-Star voting each season through the official NBA app or via NBA.com. For the 2026 NBA All-Star game, the league has confirmed the return of ‘3-for-1-Days’. This is where ballots are counted three times towards the final tally. That means that across six designated days, votes carry three times their normal weight, giving fans in the Philippines extra influence over the NBA All-Star voting results. This wrinkle, which was introduced to boost engagement, ensures that the voices of fans remain central in shaping the starting lineups.

The 2025 NBA All-Star voting results were shaped by three groups. Fans counted for 50% of the total, while current NBA players and a selected media panel each held 25%. There’s a weighted formula that is used to decide who the starters are. For example, if a player ranked first with fans but lower with peers and reporters, their averages still determine their place. The top two guards and three frontcourt players from each conference earned starting spots.

The Rising Stars game puts the spotlight on the league’s youngest talent, with rosters formed from three groups. NBA Rookies such as Victor Wembanyama were picked for their immediate impact, while NBA Sophomores like Scoot Hnerson earned spots for strong second-year performances. The third pool comes from the NBA G-League, where standouts such as Ron Holland gain valuable exposure. Those taking part are chosen by coaches and league officials, and this ensures a balance of promising newcomers and rising names. The structure gives fans an early glimpse of players who are expected to headline All-Star weekends in the future.

Each All-Star roster is built on 12 players per side. Five starters are selected via the fan, player, and media vote. Coaches get to choose the NBA All-Star reserves to complete the squad. This means that there’s a balance of household names and emerging talent along with some of the league’s brightest new players. Bettors pay attention to which conference takes the victory, but they also focus on markets that are linked to total points and standout contributions from reserves who grab the opportunity to shine in front of a global audience.

The NBA All-Star reserves are selected by head coaches from each conference. It's worth noting that they can’t vote for any players from their own team. This ensures that standout performers who haven't topped the fan vote still get the opportunity to feature in the All-Star showcase.

Head coaches for the NBA All-Star Game are chosen based on team performance before the break. The leaders of the top-seeded teams in each conference are given the honour, but the same coach can’t be selected in consecutive years. This rule is known as the ‘Riley Rule’, and it ensures variety and also spreads recognition across the league.

As examples, in 2025, Chris Finch coached the Western side after leading Minnesota to a strong start, while the Eastern team was coached by Boston’s Joe Mazzulla. For 2026, the frontrunners will depend on the standings in the weeks leading up to the break.

All players in the NBA All-Star Game also compete for money. The total prize pool is $1.8 million, with players on the winning side receiving $125,000 each. Second-place players take $50,000, with third and fourth taking $25,000.

Fans can follow the action on multiple platforms. Broadcasts will take place on traditional TV and through official league streams. International coverage is widespread, and fans in the Philippines will be able to watch via NBA All-Star live feeds through their favourite sportsbooks.