2014 NBA All-Star Game Preview

Mardi Gras falls in March this year, but New Orleans will still be partying hard this February, thanks to the arrival of the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend.

The Big Easy will host the NBA’s mid-year showcase for the first time since 2008. The West has gone 4-1 SU against the East in the last five All-Star games, including the last three in a row. However, the game has been very closely contested in recent years; 5 of the last 6 games have been won by 6 or fewer points.

NBA All-Star Weekend Betting Preview & Odds

NBA All-Star Game

EASTERN CONFERENCE | WESTERN CONFERENCE
STARTERS | STARTERS
G Dwyane Wade – MIA | G Stephen Curry – GSW
G Kyrie Irving – CLE | G Kobe Bryant – LAL
F LeBron James – MIA | F Kevin Durant – OKC
F Paul George – IND | F Blake Griffin – LAC
F Carmelo Anthony – NYK | F Kevin Love – MIN
RESERVES | RESERVES
C Joakim Noah – CHI | C Dwight Howard – HOU
C Roy Hibbert – IND | F LaMarcus Aldridge – POR
C Chris Bosh – MIA | F Dirk Nowitzki – DAL
F Paul Millsap – ATL | G Chris Paul – LAC
G Joe Johnson – BKN | G James Harden – HOU
G DeMar DeRozan – TOR | G Tony Parker -SAS
G John Wall- WSH | G Damian Lillard – POR

Eastern Conference

[sc:NBA240banner ]Led by the play with the most votes overall, LeBron James, the Eastern All-Stars hope to avoid the longest losing streak in their conference’s history by finally getting victory this year.

Due to the revised voting rules for the starters, joining LeBron to form a very small starting front court are forwards Carmelo Anthony and Paul George, with Heat teammate Dwyane Wade and Kyrie Irving at guard.

It’s unlikely that Vogel will play the center-less starting line-up for very long, so reserve bigs Roy Hibbert and Joakim Noah – two very good defensive bigs – should see more time on the floor. Wade will also most likely play limited minutes due to his nagging knee issues, which should open up some time for first-timers DeMar DeRozan and John Wall.

Two-time All-Star MVP James is averaging 25-6-6 in 9 career All-Star games, by far the highest scoring average on the team. Fellow starters George and Irving will also likely put up points; the two scored 17 and 15 points respectively in their debuts last season.

Western Conference

NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant led the West in votes, and he’ll lead the conference’s All-Stars in search of a series-best four-game winning streak.

Durant will be joined in the West starting line-up by forwards Blake Griffin and Kevin Love, as well as guards Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant. However, in the event that Bryant — still sidelined due to injury – doesn’t play, new commissioner Adam Silver will name a replacement and head coach Scott Brooks will choose a new starter.

The absence of Bryant (20 PPG on 16 shot attempts in All-Star Game), as well as expected reduced roles for veterans Dirk Nowitzki and Tony Parker, should give others a chance to shine, notably renowned high-impact shooters and first-time All-Stars Curry and Love.

Durant has scored over 30 points in each of his three All-Star games since becoming a starter. Likewise, Griffin is averaging over 20 PPG on 70% shooting as a starter, thanks to a heavy dose of dunks and alley-oops.

Slam Dunk Contest

Participants

Paul George – Indiana Pacers

Terrence Ross – Toronto Raptors

John Wall – Washington Wizards

Harrison Barnes – Golden State Warriors

Damian Lillard – Portland Trailblazers

Ben McLemore – Sacramento Kings

Second-year Raptors forward Terrence Ross returns to defend his Slam Dunk Contest against this year’s high-flying field. He’ll face stiff competition from 360-degree turning Paul George, who has decided to participate in his second dunk contest, and serial posterizer Harrison Barnes. This year’s contest will also feature two very athletic point guards – John Wall and Damian Lillard.

3-Point Shootout

Participants

Arron Afflalo – Orlando Magic

Bradley Beal – Washington Wizards

Kyrie Irving – Cleveland Cavaliers

Joe Johnson – Brooklyn Nets

Marco Belinelli – San Antonio Spurs

Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors

Damian Lillard – Portland Trailblazers

Kevin Love – Minnesota Timberwolves

This year’s 3-Point Shootout will feature two former champions – defending champ Kyrie Irving and 2012 winner Kevin Love. They’ll be joined by the league’s top 3-point maker, Stephen Curry, and some of the top shooters via percentage in Marco Belinelli (44%) and Arron Afflalo (42%). And aside from being a slam dunk competitor, Damian Lillard — 3rd in the NBA in 3-pointers made — will also participate in the shootout.
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