basketball | Friday, February 17, 2023 12:31 PM

NBA All-Star Game Best Bet: Team LeBron Are Value To Win Sixth Straight

Sam Cox

NBA All-Star Game Best Bet: Sunday, February 19th

The NBA All-Star game takes place this Sunday with Team LeBron going up against Team Giannis. Team LeBron are the betting favourites as of Friday morning, and there is uncertainty over whether Eastern Conference captain Giannis Antetokounmpo will be available after playing under 10 minutes in Milwaukee’s win over Chicago on Thursday night.

While the rosters were officially set weeks ago, three injury replacements have already been confirmed for Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Zion Williamson. More could well be on the way with doubts over the participation of Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Jaylen Brown, and perhaps James.

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NBA All-Star Game Preview
NBA All-Star Game Best Bet

NBA All-Star Game Preview

Mon, Feb 20. 01:10 (UK time)

In the five previous years using the draft format, the teams were selected in advance of the All-Star game. This season breaks that tradition, with James and Antetokounmpo drafting their squads moments before the game.

LeBron’s team are favoured by bookies even before we know the allocation of players. While that might seem a bit surprising, there is logic to it. James has led his team to victory in all five All-Star games in this format. At times accused of playing the role of general manager throughout his playing career, the four-time MVP has shown a knack for drafting the stronger All-Star rosters.

James and Giannis drafted against one another in 2019 and 2020. James’ team were not only victorious on both occasions, but his rosters were considerably more talented on paper in each year.

With several huge names already missing out, and others potentially injured, this All-Star game has the potential to look different to many previous years. There’s a solid group of first time selections, including Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards and De’Aaron Fox. Anthony Davis and James Harden missed out. Some players have a history of showing little interest in the Sunday showpiece, but others take a more competitive approach, particularly since the introduction of the Elam Ending.

How seriously do the first timers take this game? There could be value for LeBron and Giannis selecting those younger, excited players rather than the bigger names, who have their gaze firmly set on a few days in the sun before the season resumes next week.

Suggestions that the draft is part of a recruitment effort for James are rife each year. The Lakers could have cap space this summer – don’t be surprised if LeBron selects former teammate and free-agent-to-be Kyrie Irving. Damian Lillard could be targeted by James for similar reasons.

NBA All-Star Game Best Bet

Such a pool of talent should mean the winner is relatively random. History shows this has not been the case since LeBron started drafting, though.

This game carries more weight to the players than it did a few years ago. James has drafted well over the last half-decade, and winning clearly means something even if it is no more than a distraction from a lacklustre Lakers season.