NBA Basketball Betting: NBA All-Star Weekend
Friday, February 18, 2011
by BetUS.com
The best and brightest in NBA betting come to Los Angeles for the NBA All-Star festivities. Here’s a look at the wagering action available for this Saturday and Sunday.
Sprite Slam Dunk Contest
There is a ton of excitement around this year’s dunk contest thanks to Los Angeles Clippers rookie Blake Griffin. The high-flying forward is a staple of highlight reels every night he’s on the court. His power and leaping ability are the reasons why he’s the head-and-shoulders favorite (-250) to win this Saturday’s Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.
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Rounding out the field are Toronto Raptors forward DeMar DeRozan (+400), Washington Wizards forward JaVale McGee (+300), and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (+800).
Foot Locker 3-Point Contest
The 3-point contest has a nice balance of star power and role players making up the field for Saturday’s event. Leading the NBA betting odds are Boston Celtics perimeter threats Ray Allen (+200) and Paul Pierce (+500). Pierce is the defending 3-point champ while Allen won the title back in 2000. Also adding some name power to this weekend’s event is Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant, who is priced at +350.
Those three All-Stars are joined by marksmen Dorell Wright of the Golden State Warriors (+275), James Jones of the Miami Heat (+250), and Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers (+350). Looking at the odds, sportsbooks aren’t discounting these three players, who make their livings knocking it down from beyond the arc.
NBA All-Star Game
Sunday’s grand finale pits the best of the West versus the beasts of the East for the 60th time in NBA history. The Western All-Stars hold the edge since 2000, winning six of the past 11 All-Star Games. However, the East took last year’s event in Dallas, winning 141-139 – pushing with the 2-point spread. Over the past four seasons, the West is 2-1-1 ATS.
This year’s Eastern All-Star squad boasts Miami Heat standouts LeBron James and Dwyane Wade – who won MVP in Dallas last year - along with Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. New York Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire told reporters he will play Sunday despite a nagging toe injury.
The Western All-Stars are led by New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Bryant is serving as host for the annual event but he may be slowed by chronic knee troubles come Sunday, opting to take it easy during the brief break from action. Durant and Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony join the starting frontcourt, while the starting center job is up for grabs.
Since Yao Ming, who was voted to the West despite only playing in five games before suffering an ankle injury, can’t play, the Western team added Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love to the roster. The spot in the starting five, however, has yet to be filled. San Antonio Spurs veteran Tim Duncan could get the nod, as could Griffin, who would love to get the starting honor in front of the home crowd at the Staples Center.
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amare stoudemire - basketball betting - blake griffin - boston celtics - carmelo anthony - chicago bulls - chris paul - cleveland cavaliers - daniel gibson - demar derozan