NBA Rising Stars Challenge MVP Prediction & Odds, 2/15/19

Rising Stars Challenge MVP Prediction

The 2019 NBA Rising Star Challenge kicks off All-Star Weekend tonight at 9PM ET. Which young star will put on the best show in this exhibition contest?

Game Snapshot & Odds

531 World vs. 532 United States

Friday, February 15, 2019

9PM ET – Spectrum Center

TV – TNT

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Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, both Ben Simmons and Luka Doncic are the favorites to earn the MVP honor, as each is listed with 4/1 odds. Other short odds to take home the honor are Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum, who each have 9/1 odds.

World Team

The World Team will be coached by NBA veteran Dirk Nowitzki and is comprised of 10 first or second year players that hail from non-U.S. countries. The team includes Ben Simmons, Cedi Osman, Josh Okogie, Lauri Markkanen, Rodions Kurcus, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, DeAndre Ayton and OG Anunoby. Of the roster, Simmons and Doncic are the favorites for the MVP honor for their ability to put up triple-double type numbers. Doncic is averaging 20.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Simmons is averaging 16.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game this year.

U.S. Team

The United States squad will be coached by Kyrie Irving of the Celtics. The roster for Irving’s team has Trae Young, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Knox, Jaren Jackson Jr., De’Aaron Fox, John Collins, Marvin Bagley III and Jarrett Allen. Mitchell and Tatum are the favorites for MVP honors among this squad. Mitchell is averaging 22.4 points and 4.0 assists per game this season while Tatum is averaging 16.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest.

MVP Prediction:

What’s interesting here is that the U.S. Team is favored while the MVP favorites both come from the World Team. I actually predicted the World Team to get the win in this game anyway, as I feel that roster has more to prove and will be hungrier. With Dirk being the coach, I think he is going to give Doncic all the chances in the world to take over this game. Doncic has been the hot rookie name this season and this will be his biggest stage yet. I look for him to put on a show and earn the MVP honors tonight.

Rising Stars Challenge MVP Prediction: Luka Doncic 4/1