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NBA Betting Prediction for the 2018 All-Star Weekend

NBA Betting Prediction for the 2018 All-Star Weekend

Written by on February 16, 2018

NBA News and Rumors
Los Angeles is where all the major stars make their home, so it is more than a little fitting that the best players in the NBA would descend on the City of Angels this weekend for the All-Star activities. It’s a welcome break from the daily grind that is life in the pro basketball world, and the 67th annual game offers up something a little different for fans and NBA betting enthusiasts. Instead of going with the usual conference head to head, we had a mini-draft take place, with the top two vote-getters – LeBron James and Stephen Curry – picking teams form the players that the fans voted in. We will take a look at how the All-Star Game might play out and will also look at the NBA All-Star Weekend odds for the events set to go on Saturday night, ahead of the big game which is set for Sunday, February 18 at the Staples Center.

NBA Betting Prediction for the 2018 All-Star Weekend

Slam Dunk Contest

There are some who will argue that the Slam Dunk Contest is actually the biggest spectacle of the All-Star Weekend festivities. It’s certainly hard to argue when you have players dunking over cars and performing aerial acrobatics that would put a fighter pilot to shame. There is a field of 4 set to go this weekend, with Larry Nance Jr. (+250) sure to be a pick for many. If he wins, it will be the first time that a father and son have been crowned slam dunk royalty. For me, though, Donovan Mitchell (+110) is the man to beat, although Dennis Smith Jr. (+140) and Victor Olapido (+300) will give him a run for his money.

Last 10 Winners

  • 2017: Glenn Robinson III
  • 2016: Zach LaVine
  • 2015: Zach LaVine
  • 2014: John Wall
  • 2013: Terrence Ross
  • 2012: Jeremy Evans
  • 2011: Blake Griffin
  • 2010: Nate Robinson
  • 2009: Nate Robinson
  • 2008: Dwight Howard

3-Point Shooting Contest

The other event set for Saturday night is the 3-point shooting contest, which features 8 players – Bradley Beal (+550), Devin Booker (+380), Wayne Ellington (+650), Paul George (+550), Eric Gordon (+330), Tobias Harris (+800), Kyle Lowry (+800), and Klay Thompson (+140). Thompson is the obvious favorite given that he is lights out from 3-point range, averaging more than 3 of them per game. He looks like a shoe-in for this one, but if you want a longshot pick, I’d take a serious look at Wayne Ellington.

Last 10 Winners

  • 2017: Eric Gordon
  • 2016: Klay Thompson
  • 2015: Stephen Curry
  • 2014: Marco Belinelli
  • 2013: Kyrie Irving
  • 2012: Kyrie Irving
  • 2011: James Jones
  • 2010: Paul Pierce
  • 2009: Daequan Cook
  • 2008: Jason Kapono

Team LeBron vs. Team Stephen

The All-Star game goes on Sunday night and features a pair of teams that are totally loaded. The surprise on Team LeBron may well be Kyrie Irving, especially when you consider how things played out between those two in Cleveland. Rounding out the starting 5 on that team are Cousins, Davis, and Beal. Team LeBron should come in as the NBA Betting favorite for the 2018 All-Star Game. Team Stephen is also amazing, with his starting 5 completed by Antetokounmpo, DeRozan, Embid, and Harden. Curry has the edge with his starters, I believe, but the benches are what may win this one, which is where LeBron shines, with the ability to call on the likes of Westbrook and Wall. Defense is thrown out the window in this game, as witnessed by an O/U set at 346. That’s a lofty number, but the guys playing in this game are more than capable of taking it OVER. Team LeBron is the NBA Betting favorite by 3 ½ points, which seems like a fair line to me. I had his team winning by a margin of 4 to 7 points, so let’s go with Team LeBron to win and cover the NBA Betting Spread set for this one.
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