Better late than never is a fitting phrase for today’s NBA All-Star Game, which was originally slated for Indianapolis and was canceled back in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver later decided that the league would go ahead with a one-day event in Atlanta. The Skills Competition, Three-Point Shootout, Slam Dunk Contest and All-Star Game will all take place today at State Farm Arena.
All-Star Durant vs All-Star LeBron (-3.5) Total: 316.5 (Odds via PointsBet)
Team Durant - Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, Joel Embiid*, Kevin Durant*
Reserves- Mike Conley, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Donovan Mitchell, Julius Randle, Nikola Vucevic, Devin Booker*, Anthony Davis*
Head Coach - Quinn Synder, Utah Jazz
Team LeBron - LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry
Reserves - Jaylen Brown, Paul George, Rudy Gobert, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Domantas Sabonis, Ben Simmons*
Head Coach- Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers
* Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid were ruled out earlier today due to NBA Health and Safety protocols. Zion Williamson will replace Embiid as a starter. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Antonio Davis were already previously ruled out due to injuries.
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Betting Preview
Team LeBron has one of the best All-Star game rosters I can ever remember. Coach Quinn Synder can throw out so many different high-powered combinations -- LeBron James on the court with Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will likely be the crunch time five for Team LeBron.
Team Durant may not be as stacked as Team LeBron, but this game will go down to the wire. Team Durant will likely have James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal and Nikola Vucevic on the floor down the stretch. The injury to Anthony Davis and losing Joel Embiid will definitely hurt Team Durant.
I like Team LeBron to get the win, but I would never bet on the spread for the All-Star game. I would bet the over for both team totals and the over for the game. The last five All-Star games are 4-1 to the over. I can see Team LeBron getting to 200 points.
Edge: Over 317, Team LeBron Over 160, Team Durant Over 156.5
