Rising Stars Game 2: Team Vince vs Team T-Mac Picks and Prediction
Team T-Mac, entering as the 2.5-point favorite with the tournament's most balanced roster, faces underdog Team Vince in Rising Stars Semifinal Game 2 at Intuit Dome on Friday, February 13, tipping off at 9:55 PM ET on Peacock. With Team T-Mac boasting the race's second-hottest Rookie of the Year candidate in Charlotte's Kon Knueppel (18.9 PPG, 183 threes, 3-Point Contest participant), five experienced sophomores, and three elite shooters converting better than 43% from deep, this matchup pits Tracy McGrady's talent-stacked squad featuring four top-six draft picks against Vince Carter's younger, more athletic Team Vince—led by Philadelphia's clutch-scoring rookie VJ Edgecombe (14.9 PPG, 64 total clutch points) but hampered by just two top-10 selections and late injury replacement Carter Bryant filling in for the scratched Cedric Coward, as both teams chase a race-to-40 victory and a championship berth against the Team Melo vs Team Austin winner in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars tournament.
OC Staff - February 13, 2026, 7:15 PM EST
5 Minute ReadRising Stars Game 2: Team Vince vs Team T-Mac Picks and Prediction
Team Vince vs Team T-Mac Recent Performance
Team T-Mac brings the most balanced roster despite losing Alex Sarr and Ajay Mitchell to injuries. Charlotte's Kon Knueppel leads the charge as the second-hottest Rookie of the Year candidate, on pace to shatter the rookie 3-point record with 183 makes while shooting 48% from the floor, 43% from deep and 90% from the line. Miami's Kel'el Ware anchors the paint at 11.3 points and 9.2 rebounds, while Cam Spencer (11.6 PPG, 5.6 APG) runs the show. The scary part is the shooting depth: Knueppel, Spencer and Jaylon Tyson all convert better than 43% from three, and the roster features five experienced sophomores who know this format.
Team Vince enters as the underdog with a younger, more athletic roster built around Philadelphia's VJ Edgecombe, who ranks second among rookies in total clutch points with 64 and averages 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists. New Orleans' Derik Queen brings inside presence at 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds, while Chicago's Matas Buzelis returns for his third Rising Stars appearance. San Antonio's Carter Bryant replaces the injured Cedric Coward and gives Team Vince fresh legs after averaging 9.6 points and 4.2 rebounds over his last five. The roster lacks Team T-Mac's shooting consistency but counters with athleticism and defensive intensity, though it only has two top-10 draft picks compared to Team T-Mac's four top-six selections.
Team Vince vs Team T-Mac Team News
Team T-Mac lost Alex Sarr (17.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG) and Ajay Mitchell (14.1 PPG, 3.7 APG) before the tournament, but Tracy McGrady's squad still features Knueppel fresh off dropping 28 points against Dallas last week. Bub Carrington (10.2 PPG, 4.6 APG) and Zaccharie Risacher (10.5 PPG) step in as capable replacements, and Ware dominated Washington with 18 rebounds last Saturday, showing he can control the glass against NBA competition.
Team Vince gets Carter Bryant as a late replacement after Cedric Coward (right knee soreness) was scratched hours before tipoff. The Spurs rookie competes in Saturday's Slam Dunk Contest, giving him extra motivation to show out. Edgecombe is fully healthy and riding momentum from Philadelphia's recent stretch, while Queen's coming off a 23-point, 10-rebound performance against the Knicks earlier this week. Buzelis knows this format inside out from his third Rising Stars appearance, but George, Demin and Wells don't shoot consistently enough to keep pace with Team T-Mac's firepower.
Rising Stars Game 2: Team Vince vs Team T-Mac Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
- Time: 9:55 PM ET
- How to Watch: Peacock
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Team Vince vs Team T-Mac Odds
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Team Vince vs Team T-Mac Team News
Team T-Mac lost Alex Sarr (17.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG) and Ajay Mitchell (14.1 PPG, 3.7 APG) before the tournament, but Tracy McGrady's squad still features Knueppel fresh off dropping 28 points against Dallas last week. Bub Carrington (10.2 PPG, 4.6 APG) and Zaccharie Risacher (10.5 PPG) step in as capable replacements, and Ware dominated Washington with 18 rebounds last Saturday, showing he can control the glass against NBA competition.
Team Vince gets Carter Bryant as a late replacement after Cedric Coward (right knee soreness) was scratched hours before tipoff. The Spurs rookie competes in Saturday's Slam Dunk Contest, giving him extra motivation to show out. Edgecombe is fully healthy and riding momentum from Philadelphia's recent stretch, while Queen's coming off a 23-point, 10-rebound performance against the Knicks earlier this week. Buzelis knows this format inside out from his third Rising Stars appearance, but George, Demin and Wells don't shoot consistently enough to keep pace with Team T-Mac's firepower.
Prediction: Team T-Mac 40, Team Vince 35
Team T-Mac wins and covers as the talent gap shows up late when Knueppel takes over with his pure shooting stroke and Spencer keeps the offense moving. The race-to-40 format favors elite shooting, and Team T-Mac has three players converting better than 43% from deep who can push quick runs that bury opponents. Team Vince keeps it competitive early through Edgecombe's two-way intensity and Queen's glass work, but George, Demin and Wells can't match Team T-Mac's volume or efficiency from three. The game stays close into the mid-30s before Team T-Mac's superior talent pulls away with Knueppel hitting late threes and Spencer finding Ware for easy buckets inside
Best Bet: Team T-Mac -2.5 (-110) Click here to get the best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Team T-Mac covers behind the experience advantage of five second-year players who understand NBA speed compared to Team Vince's rookie-heavy roster. Knueppel is the best player on the floor with his shot dialed in for Saturday's 3-Point Contest, and the shooting disparity decides this game in a race-to-40 format where hot streaks determine outcomes. Spencer's facilitating keeps everyone involved, Ware's rebounding prevents second chances, and Carrington and Risacher fit McGrady's system better than Bryant meshes with teammates he barely knows. Edgecombe's clutch scoring keeps Team Vince within range early, but the talent gap shows late as Team T-Mac's execution down the stretch and superior shooting consistency cash the spread.
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