NBA All-Star Game Odds, Picks & Predictions (2023)

On Sunday, February 17th, the 72nd NBA All-Star Game will be played. During the three-day celebration of the premier basketball players in the world, there are fresh additions to the weekend as well as new activities to participate in.

This year is no different in that regard. Let’s take a closer look at the format, teams, and game itself as we predict how things might finish.

NBA All-Star Game Odds, Picks & Predictions

Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis

Overview

The NBA made the decision around four years ago to have the leading vote-getters in each conference in the East and West choose teams from the pools of starters and reserves. LeBron James has a perfect record as a captain, and for the third year in a row, he will be leading Team LeBron in a matchup against Team Giannis (Antetokounmpo). In 2020, Kevin Durant had the position of captain opposite him, as LeBron has been the only mainstay through this format’s history.

What’s new this time around? James and Antetokounmpo will choose the members of their teams for the upcoming game on the court one hour before tipoff, as opposed to selecting their teams a week in advance. Michael Malone of Denver will be in charge of Team LeBron, while Joe Mazzulla of Boston will be in charge of Team Giannis.

The format of the All-Star Game was changed so that the winner would be determined by reaching a target score beginning in the year 2020. This target score is equal to the leading team’s overall total after three quarters plus 24 points in honor of Kobe Bryant’s jersey number. Previously, the winner of the All-Star Game was decided by the team that had the most points at the end of the game.

The first three quarters will be timed (with the score resetting after each). It will be a mini-game with the winner claiming a larger portion of the money awarded to the community-based programs of choice selected by the captains: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Utah (Team LeBron) and Raise the Future (Team Giannis).

Bottom Line

With the teams not even decided yet, this is one of the more difficult handicaps each season when it comes to betting on the NBA and the All-Star Game festivities. With his years playing at an elite level dwindling, I have to think LeBron takes the game more seriously, pulling out a win in the process.

Pick: Team LeBron -3 (-110)

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