Team Antetokounmpos Underdogs In All-Star Skills Challenge
Reigning League MVP and Co. Face Uphill Odds in New Format
The All-Star Skills Challenge needed a change and the NBA delivered. Instead of the individual tournament, we now have a three-on-three format: the home side (Team Cavs) versus the all-rookie team (Team Rooks) versus Team Antetokounmpos. That’s right. reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will join his brothers, Thanasis and Alex, and will look to prove the NBA odds wrong by winning this whole thing.

2022 Taco Bell Skills Challenge Winner/s: Each Contest
The Skills Challenge will consist of four parts: a shooting challenge, a passing challenge, a relay race and the first to hit a half-court shot. This is like taking the original challenge and breaking it up into four separate contests.
The online sports betting lines are mostly up for grabs, with Team Rooks leading the teams at -125 followed by Team Cavs at +200 and Team Antetokounmpos as the underdog at +375. It’s worth noting that the big guys have won the Skills Challenge, with four of the last six winners being centers.
Round 1: Shooting
This one may come down to two teams: Team Rooks (-125) and Team Cavs (+175). Not to count out Team Antetokounmpos, but shooting has not been their forte. As for Team Cavs, Jarrett Allen is not exactly the greatest jump shooter, either. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley have sweet strokes, but each team is only as good as their weakest link.
Team Rooks have decent value here at even money. All three members, Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham, and Josh Giddey, can shoot the rock. Bet online on the rookies to start the Skills Challenge strong by winning this one.
Pick: Team Rooks (-125)
2022 TACO BELL SKILLS CHALLENGE WINNER | MONEYLINE |
Team Rooks | -125 |
Team Cavs | +200 |
Team Antetokounmpos | +375 |
2022 Taco Bell Skills Challenge Information
- Date: Saturday
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH
- Stream: TNT
Round 2: Team Passing
The gap in the skills competition widens a bit here, hence why Team Rooks leads the field by quite a bit at even money. Barnes, Giddey, and Cunningham are capable passers and playmakers who are all averaging at least 4.7 assists per game per 100 possessions. Allen and Mobley may struggle in this area as well as the three Antetokounmpo brothers.
However, big men have aced the passing tests in previous Skills Challenge, while renowned guards like Dwyane Wade and Steve Nash have botched passes. The margin for error is slim here, so even the best passing team in Team Rooks could lose this.
Picks: Team Rooks (Ev)
Round 3: Team Relay
This is where things may get interesting. Assuming there will be one team that is far behind in points, it will add some pressure to perform here. We do like the Antetokounmpos as an underdog bet here mainly for their chemistry. This will still involve plenty of fine skills like passing and dribbling, but coordination will be key here.
The Antetokounmpos likely have a big head start in terms of knowing each other and game-planning together. And Giannis Antetokounmpo gets better the higher the stakes. Just look at his NBA Finals performance. Look for his family to deliver.
Picks: Team Antetoukounmpos +200