Ricky Dimon
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The 2023 NBA All-Star Game marks the sixth time that teams have been determined by a captains’ draft, but this version will be the first of its kind in that the selection process is taking place right before tipoff. That’s right; the two rosters won’t be determined until the day of the game – less than an hour before the game, in fact.
This is not the first time, though, that it’s LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo squaring off. LeBron captained a team in each of the last five years since the format changed in 2017-18 from East vs West. Antetokounmpo has been a captain twice, in 2019 and 2020. He lost to Team LeBron on both of those occasions. Sure enough, LeBron has never lost an All-Star Game as captain (5-0).
Will the streak continue? Let’s take a look at the odds and best bets the 72nd NBA All-Star Game.
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Odds for the All-Star Game: Team LeBron Team Giannis
The rosters may not even be set at this point in time, but that hasn’t stopped sportsbooks from handicapping the All-Star Game. Team LeBron is a -3 favorite on the point spread and -148 on the money line (Team Giannis is +126). The over/under is 324.5 points.
Only once in the 5-year era of captains for the All-Star Game has the score exceeded 324.5. However, I’m never inclined to take the Under in an NBA All-Star Game given the amount of defense (or lack thereof) that is played. Therefore I will stay away from that market. There is probably at least some value on Team Giannis as a considerable +126 underdog. Even though LeBron is undefeated as captain, with the teams not even made you have to think the outcome of the contest is closer to 50/50 than +126 odds would suggest.
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All-Star Game MVP
Here are the odds to be named All-Star Game MVP:
LeBron James +550
Giannis Antetokounmpo +650
Joel Embiid +650
Damian Lillard +750
Kyrie Irving +750
Luka Doncic +1000
Jayson Tatum +1000
Ja Morant +1100
Donovan Mitchell +1200
Nikola Jokic +1600
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +2100
LeBron has won All-Star Game MVP honors 3 times. That is tied for 3rd on the all-time list, trailing only Kobe Bryant and Bob Pettit with 4 apiece. Do you think LeBron wants to tie Kobe and Pettit? Absolutely. At 38 years old, you never know how many ASGs the NBA’s all-time scoring leader has left. Keep in mind that LeBron has never lost an All-Star Game as captain, and if his team wins again there is a great chance he gets named MVP. It should also be worth noting that Antetokounmpo sustained a wrist injury and left Milwaukee’s game against Chicago in the first quarter earlier this week. The Greek Freak should be able to play on Saturday, but he might not go all out. LeBron at +550 to win MVP should be your best bet of the night.
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