NBA All-Star Game Betting: Will Team LeBron Keep Winning?

Team LeBron is 5-0 in the Current ASG Format

The annual NBA All-Star Game is upon us. LeBron James will once again lead one team as he looks to keep his perfect 5-0 record intact. Even prior to the All-Star Draft, which will take place just before the game. Team LeBron is already favored over Team Giannis on the NBA All-Star Game betting odds. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer will get the first pick in the NBA All-Star Draft, which may also be why he has the edge right now.

LeBron is the GOAT of All-Star Game Drafts

James has never lost an All-Star Game since the NBA schedule “Mid Season Classic” went to a draft format. Even with the change to the Elam scoring format in 2020, James’s team continued to pull through. Likely the main reason behind James’s dominance is his shrewd drafting skills. James typically assembles a better team than his counterparts.

This year, the NBA All-Star Game betting odds expect James to take either Luka Doncic (+320) or Joel Embiid (+400) with his first pick. Kyrie Irving (+425), Jayson Tatum (+425), and the two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic (+450) are also possibilities.

Irving makes sense as he is James’s former sidekick in Cleveland. James implored the Lakers to make a strong move for Irving when he wanted out of Brooklyn. While it did not materialize, Irving could still join James in the offseason. James has always drafted Irving although not with the first pick. He’s mostly drafted, ironically, Antetokounmpo with his first pick.

But with Antetokounmpo as his opponent, James may select one of the two Balkan stars. James has always selected Doncic. Jokic has also played for Team LeBron in the last three All-Star Games.

Another thing that hamstrings Antetokounmpo in previous drafts is his penchant for drafting his teammates first. While James picks the starters first, Antetokounmpo gets the first pick for the reserves. The “Greek Freak” used it both times on his teammate, Khris Middleton in 2020 and 2021. This year, Jrue Holiday is Antetokounmpo’s most likely pick even if there may be better options for him.

While their teams are yet to be selected, most early NBA All-Star game odds and predictions lean on Team LeBron. There is a chance that Antetokounmpo learns from his mistakes and prepares better for the draft. But at the end of the day, it’s just an exhibition match and Antetokounmpo may just have fun.

All-Star Game MVP: Who’s Turn is it?

Another interesting topic for NBA All-Star Game betting is who brings home the MVP. While seemingly trivial, most of the NBA’s greatest players have won the award. Team Captains James (+600) and Antetokounmpo (+550) are the favorites to win. If James wins a fourth one, he’ll tie Kobe Bryant and Bob Pettit for the most. It will be yet another achievement for the accolade-hunting 38-year-old. Antetokounmpo won the award in 2021 while he played for Team LeBron.

But eight of the last 11 All-Star Game MVPs including the last three winners have been first-timers. Of those currently on the list, Doncic (+800), Jayson Tatum (+900), and Damian Lillard (+900) have the shortest odds. But it’s by much as Ja Morant (+1000) and Donovan Mitchell (+1200) are realistic choices too.

The last seven MVPs have also been starters. Should Lillard win, he will become the first bench player to capture the prize since Russell Westbrook back in 2015.

Forwards have also been the most likely award winners. Stephen Curry won last year as he snapped a five-year streak where a forward won the All-Star Game MVP.

As for the long shots, Jokic (+2000) and Lauri Markkanen (+2500) may be worth looking at. Jokic leads the league in triple-doubles (21) and has more than double Doncic (10), who is in second place. He could be the first center to win the award since Shaquille O’Neal won it with his old teammate, Bryant in 2009.

Speaking of joint winners, Jazz stars Karl Malone and John Stockton won the MVP the last time the All-Star Game was in Salt Lake City. Markkanen was inserted as a starter following Zion Williamson’s injury. He may just win and become the first home team star to do so since Anthony Davis with New Orleans in 2017. Thanks for checking out our NBA all star game odds and predictions, be sure to join us going forward as we breakdown the remaining NBA schedule. Follow us on Twitter

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