NBA All-Star Game Preview

When the East All Stars and West All Stars meet in the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, it should be a very close game. Those who bet on sports know that The Dallas Mavericks will be the official host of the game even though it will be played in the new stadium of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and not America Airlines Center.

East vs West

BetEd Odds (BetEd Reviews): West -1.5

Offensive Breakdown

Lebron James and Dwyane Wade will head up an Eastern Conference team that is the strongest that it has been in recent years. Gerald Wallace will be the first ever representative from the Charlotte Bobcats while Derrick Rose is the first Chicago Bull to make the team since Michael Jordan. The absence of Allen Iverson is actually a blessing in disguise for the East as he has not played to the level that he is capable of this year and will most likely be replaced in the starting line-up by Rajon Rondo who is one of the best young point guards in the league.

While they do have a large amount of weapons, those who follow sportsbook will know the West will be hindered by the injuries to three of their best guards. Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and Brandon Roy will all miss the game due to injuries and it will be up to replacements Chauncey Billups, Chris Kaman and Jason Kidd to pick up the slack. While they are very good players, it is unlikely that they will be able to play at the level that Paul and Bryant, two MVP candidates from last season, are capable of.

Edge: East

Defensive Breakdown

The All Star game is notorious for lack of defence until the fourth quarter but when it comes down to the end of the game, the East should have an edge as they have reigning defensive player of the year Dwight Howard anchoring a very active and athletic team. Having a combo of Kevin Garnett and Chris Bosh at the four will pretty much put an end to any hopes of a big game by a Western power forward; with the exception of Dirk Nowitzki who can step outside and hit the three.

The West will not be pushovers on defence either as Tim Duncan and Carmelo Anthony are very good when they put their minds into stopping someone. While they will miss the tenacity of Paul guarding the point, they do have capable replacements that can do a solid job. They are however weak in depth at the swing positions as Anthony and Kevin Durant are the only two players on the roster who regularly play shooting guard or small forward, meaning the team will be giving up size or athleticism when they go to their bench.   

Edge: East

Injury Breakdown

East: Allen Iverson will not play in the game due to the illness of one of his children and will be replaced by David Lee.

West: Kobe Bryant will not play to rest his broken finger and bruised hip and will be replaced by Jason Kidd. Chris Paul is out because of a knee injury and will be replaced by Chauncey Billups. Brandon Roy is out and will be replaced by Chris Kaman

Edge: East

Prediction

In a game that boasts nine first-time All Stars, this game should be closer than any of the games in recent years. Those doing NBA betting should realize that the Western All Stars have key members of their team who are lost due to injury and that will ultimately be their downfall. As good as they are, the replacements are not equal to Kobe and CP3 and the team should lose because of it.

Pick: East 152, West 139