NBA All-Star Game predictions: Who to pick as East takes on West

For the first time since 2017, the NBA All-Star Game will go back to the Eastern Conference facing the Western Conference as the festivities take place in Indianapolis. 

The NBA experimented with two stars as captains and drafting teams the past six years, but the league has reverted back to the traditional conferences squaring off for this season’s edition. 

The West enters Sunday’s game as a slight 2.5-point favorite, led by Lakers’ superstar LeBron James, two-time MVP Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets, Mavericks’ guard Luka Doncic and Suns’ forward Kevin Durant. 

The East showcases Milwaukee stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, along with Boston’s Jayson Tatum and hometown star Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers. 

The one thing that is normally true in these All-Star games is defense is optional, capped off by a 184-175 win by Team Giannis over Team LeBron last season in Salt Lake City. 

This year’s total is 364.5 as the most recent All-Star Game to reach this total was the last one involving East-West in 2017, with the West prevailing, 192-182. 

As far as MVP odds for the game go, Antetokounmpo is the favorite at +650, followed by James at +700 and Haliburton sitting at +800. 

Russell Westbrook was the last player to win All-Star Game MVP honors in back-to-back years back in 2015 and 2016, and Tatum looks to duplicate that feat at +900 odds. 

Let’s back the West here as a slight favorite — which also showcases the likes of Suns’ guard Devin Booker, Warriors’ star Stephen Curry, Lakers’ forward Anthony Davis, and the Clippers’ duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George off the bench. 

The play: Western Conference -2.5.