The NBA All-Star Game is Sunday in Cleveland. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Below, we look at the Team LeBron vs. Team Durant odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
For the fifth year in a row, the ASG features a different format than the traditional Eastern Conference vs. the Western Conference. Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James and Brooklyn Nets PF Kevin Durant are the captains after being the top vote-getter from their respective conferences. They then built their rosters by taking turns drafting from the pool of 22 players voted into the All-Star field – conference affiliation did not matter during this process.
Team LeBron features a starting lineup of James, Milwaukee Bucks PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chicago Bulls SF DeMar DeRozan, Denver Nuggets C Nikola Jokic and Golden State Warriors PG Stephen Curry. The reserves include Cleveland Cavaliers C Jarrett Allen, Miami Heat SF Jimmy Butler, Dallas Mavericks PG Luka Doncic, Cavaliers PG Darius Garland, Philadelphia 76ers SG James Harden, Utah Jazz SG Donovan Mitchell, Phoenix Suns PG Chris Paul and Toronto Raptors SG Fred VanVleet. Harden will not play because of an injury and Paul might not.
Team Durant has 76ers C Joel Embiid, Memphis Grizzlies PG Ja Morant, Boston Celtics SF Jayson Tatum, Warriors SF Andrew Wiggins and Atlanta Hawks PG Trae Young as starters. The bench consists of Charlotte Hornets PG LaMelo Ball, Suns SG Devin Booker, Jazz C Rudy Gobert, Chicago Bulls SG Zach LaVine, Bucks SF Khris Middleton, San Antonio Spurs PG Dejounte Murray, Minnesota Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns and Warriors PF Draymond Green. Durant and Green will not play because of injuries.
NBA All-Star Game odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Team LeBron -240 (bet $240 to win $100) | Team Durant +190 (bet $100 to win $190)
- Against the spread (ATS): Team LeBron -5.5 (-115) | Team Durant +5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 320.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
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NBA All-Star Game key injuries
Team LeBron
- James Harden (hamstring) – replaced by Jarrett Allen
- Chris Paul (thumb) questionable
Team Durant
- Kevin Durant (knee) out – replaced by LaMelo Ball
- Draymond Green (back) out – replaced by Dejounte Murray
Also see
NBA All-Star Game odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Team Durant 155, Team LeBron 150
Money line
Team LeBron has won the last four All-Star Games, so he will be seeking a fifth-straight All-Star win. It was a 170-150 blowout last year with Antetokounmpo winning the MVP award.
If we are looking at the two lineups, they are pretty even, but I give Team Durant a slight edge with explosive guard play from Young, Morant and Murray.
It is ultimately an exhibition game, so it really is a toss-up.
Because of the value, I LEAN TEAM DURANT (+190).
Against the spread
Last year’s game was a 20-point blowout, but seven of the last 12 All-Star Games have been decided by 5 or fewer points.
Even under the current format, Team LeBron’s crew has only won by more than 5 points twice in the four previous games.
Take TEAM DURANT +5.5 (-105).
Over/Under
All-Star Games often are defense-optional games. Last year’s game had 320 points – Team LeBron won 170-150. Only one of the four games with the team captain format has finished with more than 320 points.
Dating back to 2010, only four games have had more than 320 points.
Take UNDER 320.5 (+110).
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