Top NBA Pick: Western Conference -3.5 (-105) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
The NBA All-Star Game is heading back to its old format of the Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference.
Which team has the edge, and how many points will be scored in Sunday’s All-Star Game? Let’s delve into our analysis to find where the value is at the top-rated sportsbooks.
NBA All-Star Game
Sunday, February 18, 2024 – 08:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
The NBA All-Star Game will finally change back to its old format. Since 2018, the NBA has used a draft with captains to select each team in the All-Star Game.
This year, the NBA is back to playing their basic Eastern vs. Western All-Star Game with no point-targets. It’s going to be a full four-quarter basketball game between the two conferences again.
Eastern Conference Lineup
The Eastern Conference has many first-year All-Stars.
In the starting lineup, the Eastern Conference will send out Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and a player to be determined. That’s because Joel Embiid won the starting slot as the center for the team but will be unable to play after an injury and surgery.
The East has Bam Adebayo as a backup center on the roster. He will likely start in Embiid’s place, but it’s not confirmed. They also won’t have Julius Randle, who made the team as a reserve. He’s also injured and won’t be healed up in time.
Meanwhile, the East also has first-year players Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, Paolo Banchero, and Scottie Barnes. Barnes and Trae Young replaced Embiid and Randle on the roster. Along with those first-year players, Donovan Mitchell and Jaylen Brown are also in the East.
The East has guys who haven’t been to the game before. They’ve also got multiple injuries. However, the West doesn’t have any issues.
Western Conference Lineup
Their starting lineup is filled with talent, including Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Nikola Jokic.
The bench is also filled with guys who have been to the game before. It’s got Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Anthony Davis.
The Western Conference is stacked with older veterans, while the Eastern Conference has younger players who are hoping to make a name for themselves in this game and break into the NBA as future stars of the game.
The East will be coached by Doc Rivers of the Bucks. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Chris Finch will coach the Western Conference.
Scoring Trends
Before moving to the drafts and team captains, the Western Conference added six of the last seven games in that format. The Western Conference even scored 192 in 2017 and 196 in 2016. Those teams had a lot of players that are still playing in today’s game. LeBron James is actually 10-9 in NBA All-Star Games. This year, he’ll be in the Western Conference for his 20th game.
It’s likely James will play next season. However, this is still going to be one of the final times we’ll see him suit up for the All-Star Game.
The Western Conference is built so much better. The East only has one center and a bunch of players playing in the game for the first time. Those guys might be shy when it comes to shooting the basketball.
On the other hand, Steph Curry and LeBron James have never been shy about shooting the ball. Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis have also each won at least one All-Star MVP in their careers.
Let’s roll with the Western Conference at -3.5 (-105).
NBA Pick: Western Conference -3.5 (-105) at BetOnline
The Total (363.5)
Just look at the final score in the West-East game in 2017.
The Western Conference added 192 points to defeat the Eastern Conference, 192-182. That’s 374 points, which is enough to hit 363.5 this year.
Over the last half-dozen seasons, the NBA players had to adjust to a new type of game with a point-target. They weren’t playing just straight-up basketball with quarters and times.
Now that they’re moving back to the old ways, it’s likely both teams will score at a higher rate and pace.
Last year, Team Giannis added 184 points to earn a win over Team LeBron, 184-175. In the first game with captains, the score finished as 148-145. These teams adapted to the target score and had major success.
However, they won’t need to adapt to a normal basketball game with quarters and a time limit. They’re used to this style. The offensive game has evolved over time. Everyone on the court can shoot it anywhere on the field, for the most part.
Therefore, I’m on the Over 363.5 in this one. Both teams can reach 180.
NBA Pick: Over 363.5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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