After years of an NBA All-Star Game draft method where LeBron, Giannis, and KD drafted teams, the NBA has reverted to a traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference NBA All-Star Game. What it means is that players from the East throw down against players from the West. No drafting this year. Right now, the Western Conference is a -3.5 ATS favorite. Will the West cover? Check out more information on this week’s NBA All-Star Game, analysis, and a free against the spread pick.

NBA All-Star Game Event Info

The #NBAAllStar court is installed at Gainbridge Fieldhouse!

Site of:#PaniniRisingStars (Friday, 9pm/et, TNT)#NBAAllStar Game (Sunday, 8pm/et, TNT) pic.twitter.com/o1HAnrGCpm

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 15, 2024

• When: Sunday, February 18th, 2024, 8:00 PM ET
• Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
• TV: ESPN
• Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Odds: Western Conference (-3.5) // Eastern Conference (+3.5)

Why Bet on the Eastern Conference?

The Eastern Conference should have a lot of consistency. Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo have played together all season. The pair will work to set up stars Joel Embiid and Jayston Tatum.

Tyrese Haliburton is the wildcard in the starting five. Haliburton averages close to 12 assists and 22 points per game. He’s going to have a field day throwing alley-oops to Embiid, Giannis, and players like Bam Adebayo off the bench.

Eastern Conference Projected Starters

• Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
• Damian Lillard – Milwaukee Bucks
• Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers
• Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics
• Tyrese Haliburton – Indiana Pacers

Why Bet on the Western Conference?

The Western Conference boasts more scorers than the Eastern Conference. LeBron, Jokic, Durant, Luka, and Gilgeous-Alexander can make their own shot.

Not only that, but Paul George, Devin Booker, and Kawhi Leonard come off the bench. So does Steph Curry. So anywhere captain LeBron turns, he’s got a lot of scorers to dish the rock.

Western Conference Projected Starters

• LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers
• Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets
• Kevin Durant – Phoenix Suns
• Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder

Final Scores in the Last 5 NBA All-Star Games

**From 2018 through 2023 the NBA went to draft all-star game process

• 2019 – Team Lebron 178 vs Team Giannis 164
• 2020 – Team 157 vs Team Giannis 155
• 2021 – Team LeBron 170 vs Team Durant 150
• 2022 – Team LeBron 163 vs Team Durant 160
• 2023 – Team Giannis 184 vs Team LeBron 175

2024 NBA All-Star Game Final Betting Analysis

This year’s NBA All-Star Game should be as high scoring as it always is, which is why oddsmakers have yet to set a total. It’s tough to set totals on basketball all-star matchups because neither squad is going to play much defense.

The NBA All-Star game has become more of a Harlem Globetrotters type exhibition than anything else. That doesn’t mean the East and West doesn’t have a desire to win. Both teams will want to win, which is why the Western Conference gets the nod.

The West is loaded. Anthony Davis can hang with Embiid while Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony-Towns, both of whom play for the Minnesota Timberwolves, can take over the game.

Not only that, but the ability to play Steph and Booker off the bench is an unbelievable advantage.

The starting fives are similar in terms of talent. But the West has a much deeper bench. PG-13 and Kawhi could pair together. Bookier and Steph could pair together. The west can go small or big and play three-point shooting specialist Karl Anthony-Towns and Nikola Jokic together. The East doesn’t have that luxury, which is why the Western Conference covers.

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2023-24 NBA season previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest basketball betting odds on our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

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