The NBA All-Star game is just days away as the best players from across the association will travel to Salt Lake City for the 72nd NBA All-Star game since the first event was hosted in 1951. It will also mark the second time that the Utah Jazz have hosted the event after doing so in 1993. BetMGM Ohio promo code will have great offers if you're looking to get in on the action as the All-star game is sure to have many prop bets to take advantage of with the slam dunk, three point competition, and MVP just to name a few.
Only one Cavalier was selected to this year’s All-Star game, that being former Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell. The former Louisville standout was traded to the Cavs this past offseason for a large haul that included point guard Collin Sexton, forward Lauri Markkanen, shooting guard Ochai Agbaji and a collection of future draft picks.
It’s safe to say Mitchell’s first year with the Cavaliers has lived up to expectations. In 48 games this season, Mitchell has averaged 26.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, all either matching or exceeding his career averages. A look at the stats show how high of a level he’s playing including posting a true shooting percentage of 56.8% this year and posting a career offensive rating of 118. His trip to this year’s all-star game will be his fourth all-star appearance in a row after missing the game each of his first two years in the NBA. He was also voted as an Eastern Conference starter and will be available to be selected as part of the starter pool in this year’s NBA All-Star Game player draft. It will be his fourth All-Star game appearance in his career.
While Mitchell will be the only Cavalier making the trip to Salt Lake City, he will be joined by one of Cleveland’s most beloved sons, Los Angeles Lakers small forward LeBron James. The NBA’s all-time scoring leader who has made his 19th consecutive all-star game. The Akron native will be a captain of one of the game’s teams and will be challenged by the team of Milwaukee Brewers star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo,who made his seventh All-Star game. James is 5-0 as an All-Star captain in his career.
This season, James at 38-years old is having one of his best seasons averaging 30.2 points, 8.5, rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game. On February 7, James surpassed NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer as part of a 38-point performance albeit in a losing effort to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The remaining starters for the Eastern and Western Conferences:
In the Eastern Conference, joining Donovan Mitchell and Giannis Antetkounmpo as starters include Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. The six-time All-Star is replacing Brooklyn Nets’ forward Kevin Durant in the starting lineup as Durant for a third straight year will miss the All-Star Game due to injury. Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and Brooklyn Nets forward Jayson Tatum were voted starters and will also be playing in the All-Star Game. The two players are playing in their eighth and fourth All-Star Games respectively. Notably, after being named a starter as part of the Brooklyn Nets, Irving was traded to the Mavericks in late January.
Joining James as starters out of the Western Conference include Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic who is playing for the fourth time in his career. They’re also joined by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. The two-time MVP is playing in the fifth All-Star Game of his career.
Both Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson were also both named starters but due to injuries will not play in the game. Replacing Curry is Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, making his second appearance while Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen will be replacing Williamson and in the process will be playing in his first All-Star Game.
The reserves:
Reserves for the Eastern Conference include Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan, Indianapolis Pacers guard Tyrese Halliburton, Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle, and Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakim.
For the Western Conference; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, Clips forward Paul George, Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, and Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis.
The coaching staffs:
Leading Team Giannis will be the Boston Celtics coaching staff led by head coach Joe Mazzulla. The interim head coach for Boston, has the Celtics currently first place in the Eastern Conference with a 41-16 record. In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets coaching staff led by Mike Malone will coach Team LeBron. Malone currently has his Nuggets first in the Western Conference with a 40-18 record.
The 72nd NBA All-Star Game will take place on February 19th at 7:30 p.m. EST. It will be televised nationally in the United States on TNT.
