Team Lebron vs Team Durant Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA All Star Game

Prediction published on 18/02/2022, 20:02  by Joseph King | Modified on 19/02/2022 at 02:03 in Basketball Predictions

The NBA’s brightest stars will be on full display as the 71st annual NBA All Star game tips off this weekend at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Utilizing the draft structure which began in 2018, the two leading vote getters LeBron James and Kevin Durant are designated team captains and choose from a pool of fan voted players to comprise their teams of 12 players. Team LeBron definitely has the advantage in terms of talent and overall team composition - but it's important to remember that this is an exhibition game with often very minimal defense being played. Another important change to the structure since 2020 has been the incorporation of the Elam Ending method which is implemented in the fourth quarter of the game. This involves adding 24 points to the leading team’s point total and the game being finished when either team reaches that mark, in lieu of a traditional game clock - a format which has generally been well received by fans and players. 

LeBron James’ team is undefeated since the inception of the draft process, placing his record at 4-0 as team captain. With opposing team captain and hands down best player Kevin Durant missing out due to injury, LeBron’s side comes into this game as -5.5 point favorites on the point spread. LeBron’s team is well-balanced, with the deadly long range shooting from Steph Curry, efficient mid-range from DeRozan, as well as playmaking of LeBron and Jokic, it’s clear to see why they are favored. They also hold the advantage of having the ultimate All Star game “try-hard” on the team in reigning All Star game MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Yet despite all of this, Team Durant still consists of elite level NBA talent and six points is a massive amount for a meaningless exhibition match. Durant’s team also possess some of the streakiest players in the league, capable of massive point explosions if their shots are falling with the likes of Trae Young, Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum. Added to that the MVP level play of Joel Embiid, who might just have something to prove in this game, and the electrifying and fan favorite Ja Morant - it would be foolish to assume a Team LeBron victory is a foregone conclusion.