The NBA hits its All-Star break after Thursday’s games and the 2022 All-Star Game is Sunday night from Cleveland. Rather oddly, on the occasion Cleveland hosted an All-Star Game the NBA celebrated its 35th season (1981), 50th anniversary (1997) and now 75th anniversary (2022). Team LeBron James opened as a 5.5-point favorite over Team Kevin Durant.

Since the All-Star Game went to captains’ choice formats in 2018, Team LeBron James is 4-0, beating Team Steph Curry 148-145 in 2018 in Los Angeles; beating Team Giannis Antetokounmpo 178-164 in 2019 in Charlotte; beating Team Giannis again in 2020 in Chicago and then beating Team Durant last year 170-150 in Atlanta.

COVID was still a major issue last year so the game was played largely in front of empty stands in Atlanta and Philadelphia stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were ruled out because they got haircuts from a barber who tested positive for COVID-19. Simmons has since been traded to Brooklyn.

Antetokounmpo was the game’s MVP after shooting 16 of 16 for 35 points. Curry chipped in with 28 points, while Damian Lillard had 32. Curry won the 3-point competition beforehand, then went 8 of 16 from beyond the arc in the game. Lillard matched him, also making 8 of 16 from 3-point range. LeBron only played 13 minutes and had four points.

Get a full preview of the 2022 NBA All Star Game down below. Nitrobetting goes over the game’s important points, including event details, team and player stats, and the latest NBA betting odds. More than that, we share crucial betting trends and predictions that help you lock in on the best picks.

2022 NBA All Star Game Information

• When: Sunday, February 20, 2022, 10:00 PM ET
• Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
• TV: TNT
• Live Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Betting Odds: Team LeBron -5.5

Why Bet on the Team LeBron?

LeBron drafted first again this year and took Giannis. Last year he picked Antetokounmpo with the first overall pick and Curry with his second pick, and he did the same thing this season. He also picked reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic with his last pick in the first round for the second straight year. So James’ starting lineup will be 80 percent the same as it was last year. The only difference is that DeMar DeRozan will replace Luka Doncic, though James still has Doncic on his bench this year.

Why Bet on the Team Durant?

Durant will not actually play in the game due to injury and was replaced as a starter by Jayson Tatum. Durant took Embiid first, then Ja Morant, Tatum, Trae Young and Andrew Wiggins. Durant also had the choice of top reserve and grabbed the Suns’ Devin Booker. The last pick of the draft was James Harden by Team LeBron, but Harden won’t play due to injury and has been replaced by Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen. The hometown Cavs will have two players in the game with Darius Garland joining Allen.

2022 NBA All Star Game Facts

Six members of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team are on All-Star rosters: Giannis (Bucks), Curry (Warriors), Durant (Nets), Harden (76ers), LeBron (Los Angeles Lakers) and Chris Paul (Suns).

It is an unusual format for the game in an effort to have guys actually trying in the fourth quarter. The winner will be the first team to reach or surpass the Final Target Score, which will be the leading team’s total score after the first three quarters plus 24 points. So, if the leading team has 100 points after the first three quarters, the Final Target Score will be 124 (100 + 24).

Phoenix’s Monty Williams is coaching Team LeBron and Miami’s Erik Spoelstra Team Durant. Another All-Star, Chicago’s Zach LaVine, is in question for the game with knee troubles.

Halftime is longer than a typical NBA game due to musical performances by popular artists. The league will honor its 75th Anniversary Team this year at halftime as Usher, Spike Lee, Tiffany Haddish and Anthony Anderson will serve as narrators.

Nuggets vs. Warriors Expert Betting Prediction

Team LeBron wins

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at NitroBetting news. Stay tuned for more NBA game previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Basketball betting odds on the sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.