Reigning Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns highlights the big names at the third annual Rising Stars Challenge. This game features some of the most talented first-year and second-year players from Team USA against the world’s best young talent in Team World.
Seven sophomores and three rookies make up Team USA this season with other big names including the Phoenix Suns Devin Booker and the Los Angeles Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell. Team World includes rising stars like the Denver Nuggets’ Emmanuel Mudiay and the New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis.
Don't miss the hardwood action from the Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, February 17, 2017. Catch every moment of the game live on TNT.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Friday schedule.
Odds at BookMaker.eu
Keep an eye out on the spread for this action. All-Star games are hard to correctly peg sometimes because the competitiveness varies. If one of the teams tries harder, that could tip the scales no matter the level of talent.
However, by the end of the game both teams will likely be trying their hardest. The United States team may have a slight edge. Anthony-Towns should be the best player in the game, while Booker and Russell are solid pieces.
Team World has Joel Embiid on the roster but he has missed a big chunk of games of late with a knee injury, and if he is absent, that is a huge swing.
Player to Watch
Towns -- The former No. 1 overall pick is one of the league’s brightest budding stars. After a successful rookie year that won him the NBA’s coveted Rookie of the Year trophy and All-Rookie First Team honors last year, Towns has shown even more improvement this season, averaging 23.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game this season for the Timberwolves.
As a rookie, Towns led Team USA with seven rebounds and also added 18 points last year in the team’s 157–154 over Team World last year. He also won the NBA Skills Challenge at last year’s NBA All-Star Weekend.
Towns is playing very well in the month of February, with two 30-plus points games and three double-doubles so far this month already. He scored a career-high 47 points against the Knicks on November 30th.
Injury Report
Embiid’s status is what to watch for heading into this one. He reportedly has a bone bruise and a slight meniscus tear in his knee, and he hasn’t been on the court very often over the last couple of weeks.
When healthy, Embiid is one of the league’s young stars, but he has spent much of his career sidelined. It seems unlikely he plays in this one. Embiid is averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks on the season, so if Team World happens to get him in the game, it would be a huge boost.
However, the 76ers will likely look down on Embiid playing in an exhibition when he can be resting the knee. If he is out, it puts more stress on the team’s other top players.
Free NBA ATS Picks
These games are usually entertaining and high scoring, as the players like to show off their offensive repertoire. The defense is oftentimes optional early, so big leads can evaporate quickly.
By the second half the highlight plays can calm down and the teams get serious. The U.S. Team seems to have more playmakers, and therefore it could be the favorite in this matchup. However, it could also be a good idea to take Team World if it is a more lucrative payout.
By judging the rosters, the presence of players like Towns and Booker make the U.S. team an easy choice. But think outside the box since this is an All-Star weekend game. The intensity won’t be there, so any points that can be had or any favorable odds on the moneyline should be taken advantage of.
NBA Odds: Team World 161, Team USA 154
BookMaker.eu offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker.eu!
