NBA All-Star Game Odds, Rules & Picks 2023
By Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball
Published:
- Team LeBron is a 3-point favorite over Team Giannis at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game
- This will mark the first year rosters aren’t selected until 90 minutes before tip-off
- Check out the latest NBA All-Star Game odds below, plus rules and predictions
For the sixth straight year the NBA All-Star Game will use a draft format to decide its rosters. The teams will be selected by LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, after they earned the most All-Star votes of any player in their respective conferences.
King James has served as the captain of his squad in all six years the draft format has been implemented, while this will be Giannis’ third tour of duty. Kevin Durant (twice) and Steph Curry have also opposed James in the past, but none of them have had much success.
NBA All-Star Game Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team Giannis | +3 (-110) | +130 | O 324.5 (-110) |
| Team LeBron | -3 (-110) | -150 | U 324.5 (-110) |
Odds as of February 18th at DraftKings Sportsbook. Get the DraftKings Sportsbook bonus code to bet on the NBA All-Star Game.
LeBron’s teams have dominated in the past, suggesting perhaps he has the chops to be a GM one day. His squads are a perfect 5-0, however, three of the five contests have been decided by three points or less.
Online sportsbooks have pegged James’ side as a 3-point favorite, despite not knowing who he’s going to be playing with. In years past, the All-Star Game draft has taken place weeks in advance. This year, however, the league is trying something new.
NBA All-Star Game Rules
The drafting of the rosters won’t take place until roughly 90 minutes before Sunday’s 7:30 pm ET tip-off on TNT. Unlike previous years, where the starters were selected first, this year it will be the reserves’ turn.
Giannis and LeBron will exchange picks from the 14-man reserve pool first. They’ll then alternate starter selections from the eight remaining players who were voted to start by the fans, NBA players and media. This way, even the last player selected will start the game, which will preserve the egos of everyone involved.
Team Captains @KingJames and @Giannis_An34 will select from the Player Pool in the 2023 #NBAAllStar Draft presented by Jordan Brand.
It will air as a new, live pregame segment at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 pm ET from Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. pic.twitter.com/fkl1kg3adQ
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2023
This year will also mark the fourth straight year the league will use the target score to determine a winner. They’ll play three 12-minute quarters, and the score of the team leading after the third frame, plus 24 points, will be the number the winning team must reach first.
As such, the fourth quarter will be played without a game clock, and the game will end once the first team reaches the target score.
NBA All-Star Game Predictions
Without knowing the rosters of either team, it’s incredibly difficult to pick a side. However, there is one piece of news that could sway a bettor’s decision before the teams are drafted.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will NOT return to tonight’s game due to a right wrist sprain.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 17, 2023
Antetokounmpo is dealing with a sprained wrist he suffered on Thursday. The injury forced him out of the Bucks game versus Chicago, and typically even Grade 1 sprains carry 1-2 weeks rest. Giannis is determined to play in Sunday’s night All-Star Game, but it’s fair to assume he’ll be limited and that he won’t log heavy minutes.
Right now, his side is a 3-point underdog and the line is not going to move in his favor. If anything, it will move away from his side towards LeBron, especially if word leaks out that he’ll be limited.
NBA All-Star Game Results – Last 5 Years
| Matchup | Result | MVP |
|---|---|---|
| Team LeBron vs Team Durant | Team LeBron, 163-160 | Steph Curry |
| Team LeBron vs Team Durant | Team LeBron, 170-150 | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| Team LeBron vs Team Giannis | Team LeBron, 157-155 | Kawhi Leonard |
| Team LeBron vs Team Giannis | Team LeBron, 178-164 | Kevin Durant |
| Team LeBron vs Team Curry | Team LeBron, 148-145 | LeBron James |
James’ perfect record suggests he has a knack for drafting in these types of events, and he’s the type of fiery competitor that will get the most out of his teammates even in an exhibition match. Players, especially younger ones, will do anything to impress the King which gives further credence to siding with LeBron.
You should probably just wait until the rosters are selected before betting this game, but if you have to fire now, back James’ bid for a sixth straight All-Star game victory.
Pick: Team LeBron -3 (-110)
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
