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The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / Betting Tips / NBA All-Star Saturday Night Betting Preview

NBA All-Star Saturday Night Betting Preview

NBA Betting Tips · - ·

Publish Date: 02/12/2026
Fact checked by: Mike Goodpaster

Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT Location: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA TV: NBC / Peacock

The Matchup Context: Precision, Bounce & Legacy Stakes

All-Star Saturday Night arrives at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome, bringing a three-event showcase that blends nostalgia, star power, and next-generation athleticism. This year’s festivities are driven by three compelling narratives:

  • The return of the Shooting Stars competition after an 11-year absence

  • A 3-Point Contest headlined by Damian Lillard’s comeback

  • A Slam Dunk Contest featuring four hungry first-timers with no defending champion in the field

With a brand-new arena and new sightlines, the night won’t just be about skill — it’ll be about adaptability.

Event Breakdown

Kia Shooting Stars: The Heritage Circuit

The reimagined Shooting Stars competition features four trios composed of an NBA legend and two current players competing in a timed shooting relay.

Teams:

  • Team Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston

  • Team Harper: Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr., Ron Harper Sr.

  • Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Richard “Rip” Hamilton

  • Team Cameron: Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Corey Maggette

The Edge: Team Knicks. Brunson’s poise, Towns’ versatility, and Allan Houston’s pure shooting stroke create a balanced trio built for precision events.

The Field: Devin Booker, Kon Knueppel, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Bobby Portis, Norman Powell

The storyline revolves around Damian Lillard, attempting a third career title despite missing the regular season with an Achilles injury. Meanwhile, rookie Kon Knueppel enters as one of the league’s most efficient high-volume shooters.

The Edge: Jamal Murray’s rhythmic shooting and rack-to-rack consistency make him a quiet favorite.

AT&T Slam Dunk Contest: The New Guard

With Mac McClung not participating, the crown is vacant.

Contestants:

  • Jaxson Hayes

  • Carter Bryant

  • Jase Richardson

  • Keshad Johnson

The Edge: Jase Richardson. The “DNA Factor” matters. If he brings creativity and hangtime reminiscent of his father, he becomes the crowd favorite immediately.

Keys to the Night

  • Arena Adjustments: The Intuit Dome sightlines and lighting could impact early shooting rhythm.

  • Dame’s Timing: Without live game reps, Lillard’s muscle memory will be tested.

  • Half-Court Pressure: Shooting Stars often hinges on the long-range bonus shot.

Top 4 Prop Bets

Prop Bet #1: Jamal Murray to Win the 3-Point Contest

Murray’s shooting profile fits this competition perfectly. He thrives in rhythm environments where mechanics repeat without defensive pressure. Unlike Lillard, who enters with physical question marks, Murray has been active and in-season sharp.

Rack management and pacing matter in this format. Murray’s compact release and controlled tempo reduce variance between rounds. If Lillard shows even slight rust, Murray becomes the most stable bet in the field.

BetMGM
BetMGM
4.5/5
Prediction: Jamal Murray Wins 3-Point Contest
  • In-Season Rhythm
  • Clean Mechanics
  • Low Variance Shooter
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Prop Bet #2: Kon Knueppel Over 24.5 Points (First Round Score)

Knueppel enters shooting 42.8% on high volume, and rookies often approach this event with fearless confidence. His arc and release are built for rapid rack transitions.

Even if he doesn’t win outright, a strong first-round score is realistic. The rookie energy factor, combined with a green light mentality, positions him well to clear a mid-20s number.

DraftKings
DraftKings
4.5/5
Prediction: Kon Knueppel Over 24.5 First Round Points
  • High Volume Shooter
  • Rookie Fearlessness
  • Smooth Rack Transitions
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Prop Bet #3: Jase Richardson to Reach Final Round (Dunk Contest)

The dunk contest is about creativity and narrative. Richardson carries the lineage storyline, and judges often reward storytelling alongside execution.

Athletically, he checks the boxes — vertical pop, body control, and brand-new creativity. Without a returning champion, the path to the final is wide open.

Caesars
Caesars
4.4/5
Prediction: Jase Richardson Reaches Dunk Final
  • Creative Upside
  • Narrative Boost
  • Open Field
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Prop Bet #4: Shooting Stars Winning Time Under 1:45

The new format increases pace emphasis. With Brunson and Towns leading Team Knicks, expect sharp passing and quick decision-making.

The timed relay rewards efficiency over flair. If one team connects early on the perimeter shots, the final half-court attempt could arrive well under the projected time threshold.

FanDuel
FanDuel
4.6/5
Prediction: Shooting Stars Winning Time Under 1:45
  • Relay Efficiency
  • Veteran Shot Selection
  • Quick Final Shot Execution
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The Verdict

3-Point Champion: Jamal Murray Dunk Champion: Carter Bryant Shooting Stars Winner: Team Knicks

The new arena energy fuels an explosive night. Murray’s consistency outlasts Lillard’s comeback attempt, Bryant delivers a signature dunk moment, and the Knicks trio’s precision captures the revived Shooting Stars trophy.

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