West – East

The West will attempt to win the NBA All Star game for the 6th time in 7 years as they play the East All Stars in New Orleans.

The East has been second best in the All Star game in recent years, as the superior talent in the West is making the difference, even if it`s only a friendly clash. East’s roster is not looking great this year, particularly as they are extremely light in the frontcourt. The East has no centers and a single power forward, Millsap, who is actually an undersized power forward. James and Antetokounmpo should take the duties at center most of the time for the team.

As opposed to the East, the West have a much more balanced roster (and better overall). The backcourt has 4 of the best players in the league (Curry, Harden, Westbrook, Thompson + Hayward), while the frontcourt features Durant and Leonard alongside 5 top big guys. The 4 tallest players in this game are all on the West team.

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Team news & Lineups:

The West will miss Kevin Love, who will be replaced by Carmelo Anthony.

West: Curry, Harden, Durant, Leonard, Davis
Reserves: Westbrook, Hayward, Thompson, Green, Gasol, Cousins, Jordan

East: Irving, DeRozan, Butler, James, Antetokounmpo
Reserves: Thomas, Wall, Lowry, Walker, George, Anthony, Millsap

The NBA All star game is becoming increasingly more high scoring. There has never been much defense in this game, but in the last few years players started to actually get out of their way to avoid defending. Even when somebody happens to be in a good defensive position, that player often makes an effort to not contest a shot. No form of defense is played unless the game is close in the final minutes.

With the game becoming faster, guard dominant and relying much more on 3 point shooting, All Star games are seeing more and more points every year.

Since 2008, every All Star game had more points than the previous year with a single exception (2013). That means that the points total got higher and higher each year over the past 8 seasons. Last year the West won 196 – 173, with the two teams putting up 369 total points.

The points total has been shattered in the previous years and I expect it to happen again, even though the bookies did set the line pretty high. I wouldn`t be surprised if last year’s record of most points in a game (369) will be broken.

Expect a showdown of dunks, driving layups and 3 point shots in an ultra fast paced game with no defense. Scoring 200 points for the first time ever (as a team) is becoming the new big thing and the main challenge in the All Star game, so look for the East and the West both trying to do that. My tip is over 352 points to be scored.

I also expect a West win as they simply have much more talent and are much bigger. The East has no center and a single Power Forward on the roster. The East are a team of guards, while the West has 3 centers and 2 power forwards – that should count a lot even if it`s only an exhibition game in a guard heavy league.

But all in all, I`m sticking with the over in the 2017 NBA All Star game. I don`t recommend betting more than 7 units, as it`s a friendly game after all. Prediction: West – East 188 – 178.

Pick: over 352 points
Odds: 1.99 @ 1xBet
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 6.93
Event date: 20 February