NBA 2021 All-Star Game - Preview, Picks and Plays

The 2021 NBA All-Star game has (surprisingly) arrived and for bettors around the country it brings a great chance to cash in as we look to build our bankrolls for March Madness.

Although it's sometimes seen as a hard game to predict, our Dimers staff have come together to make a case for  why each team can win the star-studded exhibition game.

For more NBA All-Star action, check out our picks for the 3-Point, Slam Dunk and Skills Challenge Contests!

Gregory Reeves: Why Team LeBron (-170) Will Win

What is there to say? The King has been captain in each of the four All-Star Games since the All-Star Draft commenced in 2018, and so far he is 3-0. LBJ has an eye for talent, and he has stacked the books again this time with a starting five that includes Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic. That's about as good a starting five as you'll ever see!

If I'm analyzing the other side, what have they really got? Maybe Embiid? Otherwise all I see is a couple of streaky shooters that could have a bad night trying to do too much. 

Don't worry about the chemistry on Team LeBron's side - this is a LOCK 

Ryan Leaver: Why Team Durant (+140) Will Win

KD's team have the poor fortune of missing their captain, with Durant still out with a hamstring strain. This means that Jayson Tatum was moved into a starting spot for the 'East', becoming one of the now nine guys LeBron and KD had to choose from for the starting spots for the game.

This is unlucky for Team Durant as it means that their opponents now have not only the top-voted for player and consensus best player in the league (LeBron) but also the first pick in the draft of which LBJ selected Giannis. 

🏀 NBA Player Awards Picks and Plays

But fear not, Durant fans, there's still a very good chance that his men pull off the win against Bron and we're going to explain how. 

One of the key factors when considering who will perform well on All-Star Sunday is checking out which players are paired up with current teammates that they will need no time to acclimatize to playing with, and Team Durant is actually the only team to have a pair from the same team!

Amazingly, the two star Nets guards are the only teammates that were selected to the same All-Star team this season, with their injured squad member being the one to put them together.

Kyrie and Harden have proven over the past few weeks just how deadly of a combination they can be, and they'll surely waste no time getting it going in Atlanta.

NBA All-Star Game - MVP Picks

Gregory Reeves: Team LeBron

I waxed lyrical about the starting five earlier, but I didn't mention Team LeBron's sixth man: Damian Lillard. When is comes down to the ASG, some people have fun with it, and some people take it seriously, using it as an excuse to make a statement on the national stage. Lillard doesn't get the props he deserves, plying his trade on a non-super team in a small market, look for Dame to make a big impact off the bench. He'll make layups, he'll make logo threes, he'll take home the MVP.

💰 Pick: Damian Lillard (+1300)

Ryan Leaver: Team Durant

Apart from the two guys mentioned above, our next favorite MVP play from Team Durant is Donovan Mitchell. And it's for one reason and one reason only: spite. Spida Mitchell and teammate Rudy Gobert were the last two guys left on the board for selection, which will not sit well with either of them and in particular the star guard.

To add insult to injury, Devin Booker, who Mitchell is often compared two was selected by Durant with his second bench pick despite only being included as an injury replacement for Anthony Davis.

AND on top of being selected later than he would've liked, Donovan will also come out mad after his last time on the court saw him controversially ejected in an overtime loss to the Sixers.

💰 Pick: Donovan Mitchell (+5000)

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