Vaughn Dalzell breaks down the Rising Stars Tournament and how to bet the field with Pau Gasol, Deron Williams, Joakim Noah and Jason Kidd as coaches.
Rising Stars Tournament
The Rising Stars game has turned to a four-team tournament drafted by former NBA players. Based on rosters, Team Pau has the best chance at winning and the odds reflect that.
Team Pau and Team Deron play first, then Team Joakim versus Team Jason before the winners meet for the Tournament Championship. The first two games are played to 50 points, then the final is to 25 points.
Team Pau is -130 in the opening game and Team Joakim is -190 on DraftKings. The teams and coaches are:
Team Pau Gasol (+160)
Jose Alvarado (Pelicans), Paolo Banchero (Magic), Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Jaden Ivey (Pistons), Bennedict Mathurin (Pacers), Keegan Murray (Kings) and Andrew Nembhard (Pacers).
Team Pau has this year’s No. 1 overall pick, last year’s No. 4, 5 and 6 picks, along with plenty more. This squad is stacked and has a nasty duo of athletic forwards (Bachero, Barnes) along with sharp shooters on the wing (Mathurin, Murray). This team is a little more seasoned than the other squads and in my opinion, more talented.
Team Deron Williams (+195)
Ayo Dosunmu (Bulls), A.J. Griffin (Hawks), Bones Hyland (Clippers), Walker Kessler (Jazz), Trey Murphy (Pelicans), Alperen Şengün (Rockets) and Franz Wagner (Magic).
This is on paper the second-best team, but we will soon find out as they take on the favorite, Team Pau first. Team Deron has Sengun, Wagner and Kessler down low, so the rebounding and interior defense is the advantage points for this squad. The guard duo of Dosunmu and Hyland are the question marks on whether they make enough plays with Griffin and Murphy as the forwards.
Team Joakim Noah (+310)
Tari Eason (Rockets), Josh Giddey (Thunder), Quentin Grimes (Knicks), Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), Jabari Smith (Rockets), Jeremy Sochan (Spurs) and Jalen Williams (Thunder).
Giddey and Mobley playing together will be an exciting duo to watch, then throw in Smith Jr. and a few more playmakers that do it all means this is your sleeper team. Team Pau and Team Noah are the only squads with players only in the Rising Stars challenge and not the Slam Dunk or Three-Point Contest, so they could be a little more focused.
Team Jason Kidd (+500)
Sidy Cissoko (G League Ignite), Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite), Mojave King (G League Ignite), Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Memphis Hustle), Mac McClung (Delaware Blue Coats), Leonard Miller (G League Ignite) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (South Bay Lakers).
Team Kidd is at a major disadvantage with G-Leaguers and guys that have floated in the NBA on short-term contracts. They are +160 in the first round game on DraftKings against Team Deron, so I expect an earlier exit.
Give me Team Pau at +160 odds and I like the chances Team Noah can shock some people at +310 value.
Pick: Team Pau (+160)
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