The NBA All-Star Game returns for 2024 as LeBron James captains the West Division to take on Giannis Antetokounmpo's East Division.
The best players from the NBA's two divisions will travel to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana to go head-to-head in a more traditional timed four-quarter game rather than a draft with an ELAM Ending, but it will still be interesting to see how this one pans out.
The betting markets are quite open for the game, so we'll take a look at the match and share our best free NBA betting picks for the game to try and earn you some extra cash in the process.
Learn more about how to bet on the NBA All-Star game here.
NBA All-Star Game 2024 information
- Sunday, February 18th 2024
- Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
- 20:00 ET tip-off
NBA All-Star Game 2024 teams
Eastern Division
- Tyrese Haliburton - Indiana Pacers
- Damian Lillard - Milwaukee Bucks
- Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks (c)
- Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics
- Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers* (won't play due to injury)
- Jalen Brunson - New York Knicks
- Tyrese Maxey - Philadelphia 76ers
- Donovan Mitchell - Cleveland Cavalliers
- Paolo Banchero - Orlando Magic
- Julius Randle - New York Knicks** (won't play due to injury)
- Bam Adebayo - Miami Heat
- Trae Young - Atlanta Hawks* (replaces Joel Embiid)
- Scottie Barnes - Toronto Raptors** (replaces Julius Randle)
Western Division
- Luka Doncic - Dallas Mavericks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder
- Kevin Durant - Phoenix Suns
- LeBron James - LA Lakers (c)
- Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets
- Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
- Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
- Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
- Paul George - LA Clippers
- Kawhi Leonard - LA Clippers
- Karl-Anthony Towns - Minnesota Timberwolves
- Anthony Davis - LA Lakers
NBA All-Star Game Preview
The Eastern Conference All-Stars are a very diverse group. Captained by Antetokounmpo, the East has an intimidating lineup featuring Tatum, Lillard, and Haliburton. The individual talent in the East is incredible, and the balance of their lineup may be their biggest strength.
The story is a bit different once you scan the East’s bench, especially with Embiid and Randle are unavailable to play. Adebayo and Mitchell have been All-Star regulars in recent times, but Brunson, Maxey, Barnes and Banchero will all be making their first appearances on this stage.
There's no doubt Giannis' team make an impact on the court though with their greatest strength arguably being their lack of superstars. It means they'll actually need to be a unit and that is a big difference in a game like this. Expect high-intensity, and plenty of hungry players looking to make themselves a household name.
The Western Conference All-Stars boast a veteran lineup that has plenty of experience playing in the NBA All-Star Game. The entire starting line-up are already household names, and they will all be enjoying the prospect of playing together once again.
The bench is also stacked with the likes of Curry, Booker and Davis as options to come in and that will no doubt help them to pull away as the game goes on. But they may have a lack of motivation, with Doncic never really shining on this stage and reigning MVP Jokic admitting that he doesn't enjoy the game at all.
In All-Star Games, fans often see veterans taking a backseat to enjoy the festivities and rest after an arduous first half of the season. But on pure ability, there is no doubting why they're the favorites to get the win.
In honor of the 2024 NBA All-Star game returning to East vs. West format...
Take a look back at the top plays from 2017's NBA All-Star East vs. West battle 🌟#NBAAllStar 2024: Sunday, 2/18 on TNT pic.twitter.com/pxxC6m8voK
— NBA (@NBA) February 11, 2024
NBA Picks: Under 365.5 total points @ -110
Oddsmakers have the over/under set at 365.5, which just seems unreasonably high considering previous years.
Playing the over in a game like this would usually be the go-to play because it's all about entertainment and less about winning, meaning teams don't try as much and their pure ability shines through offensively.
But the support is lacking for such a high number. 364 points have not been exceeded in an All-Star Game since 2017, which was an exceptional year in terms of scoring. To hit such high numbers teams need to usually be well-drilled and have a good chemistry, and while teams won't be too focused on their defensive responsibilities it is a timed game now.
The Elam Ending has been binned for 2024 an that means it's even less likely this comes in, so go against the grain and back the under.
Check out our review for Bovada sports betting here.
NBA Picks: West Division -2.5 @ -110
There is a great shout for backing the East to pull off an upset win because their players are far more likely to be putting in more effort as they have something to prove.
But based on the ability of both teams in a traditional timed four-quarter game, the West are clearly the stronger starting lineup and have got more depth on their bench too which should see them win.
Expect a strong start with plenty of entertainment and points and it seems more likely that LeBron will be able to lead his team a healthy victory with the likes of Curry being able to keep standards high while coming off the bench and providing a serious scoring threat throughout.
Check out our review for BetOnline sports betting here.
