LeBron James will look to claim his third straight All-Star Game victory this weekend in the Windy City. Team LeBron won the inaugural draft format All-Star Game in 2018, defeating Stephen Curry’s team 148-145 in the lowest scoring All-Star Game since 2013. His team won by a more comfortable margin last year, beating Team Giannis 178-164, and those two superstars will have their rematch this year. There has yet to be a line set on the 2020 All-Star Game, but Team LeBron is likely to be a short favorite per the NBA betting odds.
This season’s All-Star Game will be held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on February 16, 2020, and the game will be broadcast on TNT.
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All-Star Game Rosters
Team LeBron: Anthony Davis, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard (injured), Nikola Jokic, Ben Simmons, Domantaas Sabonis, Jayson Tatum, Russell Westbrook
Team Giannis: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, Kemba Walker, Trae Young, Bam Adebayo, Brandon Ingram, Donovan Mitchell, Jimmy Butler, Rudy Gobert, Kyle Lowry, Khris Middleton
Lillard has pulled out of the All-Star Game after suffering a strained groin on Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. He was slated to take part in the All-Star Game and the three-point contest, but the five-time All-Star selection will rest instead, leaving Team LeBron to add another player in the next couple days.
Team LeBron
James filled his team with Western Conference players, and every one of the starters is averaging at least 25 PPG. James is currently leading the league in assists with 10.7 APG, and two of the other starters are among the best distributors in the NBA as well. Luka Doncic is averaging 8.7 APC and James Harden is averaging 7.3 APG, so there should be pretty great distribution here.
This team boasts four of the last five All-Star Game MVPs. James won in 2018 by going 12-17 from the floor with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, and Anthony Davis dropped 52 points in 2017. Russell Westbrook won the two previous All-Star Game MVP awards before that, and he tries harder than any other player during the All-Star Game.
Team Giannis
The Greek Freak is the best player in the game today. Antetokounmpo won the MVP award last year, and he is the odds-on favorite to win the MVP this year too. He is averaging 30.1 PPG, and he will be the best player on the court, but the rest of his team isn’t as seasoned as LeBron’s veteran. Trae Young and Pascal Siakam are making their first appearances at the All-Star Game, while Joel Embiid is making his third trip and Kemba Walker is making his fourth appearance.
Young and Antetokounmpo are the main stat stuffers on this team. Young is dishing out 9.0 APG, while Antetokounmpo is averaging 13.2 RPG. Embiid is one of the best rebounders in the league too when healthy, and that should help give Giannis’ team an edge on the boards. Four of the seven reserves are also making their All-Star Game debuts though, so nerves may be an issue.
Prediction
This is an exhibition where neither team plays real defense, so it’s somewhat difficult to handicap. However, Team LeBron has some definite advantages. That team is more talented on the surface, and there is a lot more experience on this stage. Defensive standouts like Rudy Gobert and Pascal Siakam won’t have the same effect they would in a real game, so I like Team LeBron to cover the spread.
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