The 66th edition of the NBA All-Star game could be a delicious entrée to this year’s NBA Finals.
As the countdown continues to a tantalising rematch between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, the team’s respective stars will lock horns in the annual West v East All-Star game on Monday.
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Headed by LeBron James, the reigning NBA Champions Cavaliers lead the East with three selections (James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love) while defending Western Conference champions Warriors lead the West with four (Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green) in addition to having coach Steve Kerr as the Western Conference’s head coach.
Cleveland star Love is making his fourth All Star appearance but his first as a Cavalier.
The Warriors are just the eighth NBA franchise to earn four selections in the All-Stars team and just the second team to achieve the feat in the West since the Lakers in 1998.
Kerr has lit the fuse for a Warriors v Cavaliers showdown declaring he’ll ensure all four Warriors will be on the floor together at one moment or another.
Whether Durant and former Thunder buddy Westbrook will see court-time together remains to be seen.
Judging by their verbal snarling in last Sunday’s fiery Thunder v Warriors clash, it’s an enticing proposition to look forward to.
Both teams boast two All Star debutants with Milwaukee’s ‘Greek freak’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and Charlotte’s Kembla Walker debuting for the East while the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and Utah’s Gordon Hayward will debut for the West.
New Orleans Pelicans fans will no doubt find their voice for the Pelicans’ sole All-Star representative Anthony Davis (pictured above), who has hosed down suggestions he and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook are headed to the Lakers.
Speaking to the international media in the lead-up to Monday’s All-Star showcase, the former Kentucky star reiterated his commitment to sticking it out in New Orleans.
The East hold the edge against their conference foes with 37 wins to the West’s 28. The West have clinched seven of the last 10 All-Star games including last year’s 196-173 win in Toronto.
Eastern Conference All-Stars:
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto), LeBron James (Cleveland), Jimmy Butler (Chicago), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee).
Reserves: Isaiah Thomas (Boston), John Wall (Washington), Kevin Love (Cleveland), Kyle Lowry (Toronto), Paul George (Indiana), Kembla Walker (Charlotte), Paul Millsap (Atlanta).
Western Conference All-Stars:
Steph Curry (Golden State), James Harden (Houston), Kevin Durant (Golden State), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio), Anthony Davis (new Orleans).
Reserves: Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City), Klay Thompson (Golden State), Draymond Green (Golden State), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento), Marc Gasol (Memphis), DeAndre Jordan (LA Clippers), Gordon Hayward (Utah).
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West $1.48
East $2.70
Tip: West
Line tip: East +5.5
