It’s NBA All-Star week and Sunday night features the best of the best in the league competing for bragging rights as Team LeBron will be taking on Team Durant. The 2021 All-Star game is being played in Atlanta, and tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Similar to last year, the format of the game is a little different than the past. At the end of each quarter, the score will be wiped back to 0-0, with the differential being recorded. After the first three quarters, the total differential in the score to that point will be calculated. A target score will then be set by taking the leader’s differential score and adding 24. To finish the game, an untimed quarter will be played until the target score is reached.
While it sounds complicated, it makes for a much more exciting ending to the game, exemplified by last year’s outcome. Team LeBron beat Team Giannis 157-155 last year in Chicago.
Team LeBron comes into this one as the favorites. They are -172 to win, while Team Durant’s moneyline sits at +144. The spread features Team Durant +3.5 while the over/under for total points is 310.5.
Team LeBron Trying To Go Back-To-Back
After a surprising comeback in last year’s All-Star game, Team LeBron is out to defend its title, and they have the manpower to do it.
The starting lineup for Team LeBron is full of superstars and future Hall-of-Famers. LeBron James (25.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists), Giannis Antetokounmpo (29 points, 11.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists), Luka Doncic (28.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists), Steph Curry (29.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists) and Nikola Jokic (27.1 points, 11 rebounds, 8.6 assists) will start for Team LeBron.
For those counting at home, that is three former league MVPs and another (Luka Doncic) that could compete for one this season.
Other major contributors coming off the bench for Team LeBron include Damian Lillard (29.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists), Paul George (23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists), and Chris Paul (16 points, 4.7 rebounds, 8.8 assists).
Team Durant Trying To Win One For KD
One of Team Durant’s biggest disappointments this season is that Kevin Durant himself won’t be able to play in the game. Dealing with a left hamstring injury, Durant was the team architect but will have to cheer them on from the sidelines.
Even without Durant, the team has plenty of talent. The starting five include Bradley Beal (32.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists), Joel Embiid (30.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists), Kyrie Irving (27.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists), Kawhi Leonard (26.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists) and Jayson Tatum (24.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists).
While Team LeBron has three former MVPs, Team Durant has a current MVP candidate in Joel Embiid and last year’s All-Star game MVP in Kawhi Leonard.
Led by James Harden (25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 11.1 assists), Devin Booker (24.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists), Zach LaVine (28.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists), and Donovan Mitchell (24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists), the bench for Team Durant has a ton of playmakers as well.
Taking Team Durant And The Points
It is easy to fall in love with the starting lineup for Team LeBron, but I think the team in its entirety is underrated for Team Durant. While they have a handful of first-time All-Stars, they also have some significant veterans in Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.
While the players will have plenty of fun, and a ton of points will be put up, the new format also encourages a little more competitiveness, making for a closer game. In any All-Star game, you can always make legitimate arguments for both sides, and for that reason, I will take the points. Give me Team Durant +3.5.
Other Bets To Consider
In addition to the actual All-Star game, there are additional ways to satisfy your betting appetite, including betting on who the All-Star game MVP will be. Right now, the favorites include Giannis Antetokounmpo (+600), LeBron James (+600), Steph Curry (+850), Joel Embiid (+1000), and Luka Doncic (+1100).
