Read a preview and watch a live stream of the NBA Rising Stars Challenge 2015…
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn.
When: Saturday February 14, 02:00 (UK time)
Watch live: Click here to watch on BT Sport online!
The NBA has altered the format of the Rising Stars game, and as a result it is arguably one of the most highly anticipated events of All-Star weekend.
In the new-look format, it will be ‘Team USA’ vs ‘Team World’ as the best of the rookie and second-year classes take each other on in a more patriotic game than ever before.
Although injuries have certainly curbed the excitement surrounding both this game and the All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, there is still plenty of talent still on show to excite the fans.
Rising Stars Rosters
Team USA: Nerlens Noel, Zach LaVine, Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, Mason Plumlee, Trey Burke, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Shabazz Muhammed and Elfrid Payton.
Team World: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Gorgui Deng, Andrew Wiggins, Bojon Bogdanovic, Kelly Olynyk, Dante Exum, Rudy Gobert, Nikola Mirotic, Jusuf Nurkic and Dennis Schroder.
Despite the individual talent and ability to take control of a game on the World team, the US are still regarded as the favourites.
However, with Antetokounmpo in fine form and Wiggins more than capable of taking over down the stretch, it is difficult to look past the foreign stars from stealing the show.
Similarly to the All-Star Game, there will be a lack of intense defense and so it will be a case of who executes better on the offensive end of the court. Both teams will want to win for pride alone and expect plenty of points on the board, but Team World have the better talent and depth and will come out victorious.
Prediction: Team World 132-119 Team USA
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