Grant Hughes covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Giving these young players more minutes will not only help accelerate their development but also allow the Blazers to assess what they can do. And its not like LeBron is having a down year. Point Diff/G. Then again, it's remarkable that a player in his age-38 season is more valuable for the volume of his contributions than their efficiency. *Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*. The 2022 All-Star starters were announced last week. 32 sold. He's also cranking out 26.2 points per game, another career high, in spite of his distribution duties. The injury replacement spot came down to Ball, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Pascal Siakam. NBA All-Star Game Picks and Predictions: Team LeBron vs Team Durant, Suns vs Hornets Picks and Predictions: Durant Gets His Legs Underneath Him, Pelicans vs Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions: Lillard Struggles to Pass Lofty Scoring Total, Cavaliers vs Celtics Picks and Predictions: White Seeks Heat from Distance, Lakers vs Thunder Picks and Predictions: LA Locks Onto Dort in SGA's Absence, Todays NBA Player Prop Picks: Going Back to the Well With Dennis Schroder, NBA Clutch Player of the Year Odds: Fox's Fourths Have Him First. The 2022 NBA All-Star Game will conclude the weekends events as LeBron James looks to win his fifth All-Star Game under the new format, while Kevin Durant hopes his roster can pull off the upset Sunday. ET in Utah. But the selected players have had a bigger impact on ensuring their teams are among the Eastern Conferences best. The 13-time All-Star, who was dealt to Phoenix on Feb. 9, has not played in a game since Jan. 8 when he was with the Nets. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He began his age-23 campaign with nine consecutive 30-point games, the longest such streak in 60 years, and hasn't really scaled back since. He is sure to be rewarded for his efforts this year, regardless of the teams final outcome in 2022, as he will lock up his sixth All-Star selection. It has stat sheet over-stuffers (Luka Doncic and DeMar DeRozan), plus a couple of Cavs to get the home crowd going (Garland and Allen). This familiar event got a face-lift this season. July 28, 2021 News Bot. And a career-best hit rate from the foul line (83.9 percent) suggests that broader shooting growth may still be ahead. Tatum has undeniably leveled up again in his age-24 season. But I do know Quavo, both for his music and the fact that this is Celebrity Game appearance No. Without him, and because of the other limitations on L.A.'s wing-laden roster, George has alternately had to serve as primary scorer, point guard, defensive stopper and glue guy. Ball is enjoying a solid sophomore year. His bounce is unrivaled among this quartet, and it sounds like his creativity could be too. Curry will likely be out following a left shoulder subluxation until at least the start of the new year. But his real case for one of the league's most forceful downhill attackers is what he's been doing besides bulldozing his way to bucket for layups every night. Mitchell had the Jazz near the West penthouse before injuries took hold. Averages of 27.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 36.2 minutes per game attest to that. The presence of Damian Lillard on the court obviously gives them hope in a one-or-two-and-done scenario. The Association's increasing obsession with the long ball has perpetually raised the bar for what it means to be a great shooter. Beginning his career as a sportswriter, Benner then served with the Pacers for 28 years, retiring last season. West reserves: Devin Booker, Luka Doncic, Rudy Gobert, Draymond Green, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Karl-Anthony Towns. Back Court: Steph (starter), Luka (starter), Ja, Booker, SGA, Fox, Front Court: LeBron (starter), AD (starter), Jokic (starter), Lauri Markkanen, Sabonis, Mikal Bridges, Back Court: Donovan Mitchell (starter), Haliburton (starter), Garland, Trae, Jaylen Brown, Front Court: KD (starter), Giannis (starter), Tatum (starter), Embiid, O.G. SI Staff Feb 18, 2022 Which stars However, this does not guarantee a lot of losses as they are still capable of helping the team win games. In fact, his 31.6 points per game are a career high. Though his three-point and free-throw shooting woes are points of concern, Antetokounmpo is still scoring at elite rates. Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality. But there just wasn't enough room for two Kings (or seven guards), and Sabonis has been more productive. But Golden State doesnt really merit three All-Stars this season, Draymond has missed a lot of games and the Andrew Wiggins thing skewed their representation. The two-time MVP runner-up has an individual statistical case that can't be minimized, though. With a pair of MVPs already decorating his mantle and no indication he'll relinquish a spot in the discussion for that award this season, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a shoo-in to be on the floor for the opening tip of the All-Star Game. Sign Up Now, *replaces injured James Harden**replaces injured Kevin Durant***replaces injured Draymond Green. Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it. Definitely, health is always the question with the Raptors. He or Lillard could catch fire and earn a starting spot, and Morant's team success might give him an edge in any voter's personal tiebreaker. First pass: Garland, Harden, LaVine and Tatum. Thats a task that lies with general manager Joe Cronin, head coach Chauncey Billups, and Lillard himself. While Embiid is the regular-season MVP odds favorite this year, the rosters still appear stacked in one direction. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. Or it will this weekend, anyway, when the cream of the NBA crop descends upon Northeast Ohio for the latest installment of All-Star Weekend. The skills displayed in this event are sharp enough to draw blood, and the arena gets absolutely rocking with the time ticking down and everyone knowing exactly how many makes a player needs to advance. The 2022 All-Star reserves will be announced on TNT this Thursday at 7 p.m. VanVleet has also grinded his way into All-Star recognition. As talented as a given player may [], Copyright 2023 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes. But his heroic effort against the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 17 is as good of a metaphor for Booker's season as you'll find. Pascal Siakam's Toronto Raptors have been even shakier than Butler's Heat, but the 28-year-old forward is in the midst of a career season. He has posted better numbers in subsequent events, too, so look for another statistical explosion Friday, yielding the latest addition to his trophy case. Coming off a tough 116-117 loss against the Denver Nuggets, the Warriors find themselves on a three-game losing streak heading into this game. As the 2022-23 NBA season moves into the post-All-Star Devin Vassell returns for the final games of the season, The total for this edition of the All-Star Game is probably the more interesting bet. When you're a hair's breadth away from matching the all-time single-season high in Player Efficiency Rating that you set last year, it's a decent sign you've cleared the much lower bar to being one of the three frontcourt All-Star starters in your conference. On Jan. 27 during TNTs NBA broadcast, the All-Star starters and captains will be named with the NBA announcing the remaining 14 reserves on Feb. 3, and then on Feb. 10, TNT will host the All-Star Draft. LeBron James will return to Cleveland as an All-Star Game captain, and Ja Morant and Andrew Wiggins are headed there as 1st-time selections. Whether the Blazers aim for a playoff spot or not, coach Billups may want to give his younger players more playing time. And bottom line, hes been running a top-five offense. Steph Curry is guaranteed to make his 8th All-Star appearance and Draymond Green is likely to make his 4th All-Star appearance. 2022-23 NBA Predictions Updated after every game and depth chart revision. This Blazers-Pacers Sends Domantas Sabonis To Portland, This Raptors-Spurs Trade Sends Jakob Poeltl Back To Toronto, Game 2 of the first-round NBA playoff series between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks was played on Monday night and this game was much different than the likes of Game 1. Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. NBA "C L U T C H N E S S !" Fastbreak on FanNation polled 25 different NBA media members from around the country during the 2023 NBA All-Star break. 1 and 2 on the MVP checklist. Betting the NBA All-Star Game is often a tricky proposition. I considered Green more of a worthy starter than his teammate, Andrew Wiggins because he has always been the main reason behind the Warriors defensive excellence. If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so. If the Blazers are no longer playing for a play-in spot, these players can rest. If the team decides to tank, Billups could give Shaedon Sharpe, Trendon Watford, Cam Reddish, Matisse Thybulle, and Jabari Walker more opportunities to play. Although the record is not great, the team is showing some potential on the court. Fine. Ask Tyrese Haliburton how much he enjoyed seeing Adebayo hounding him around the three-point line during his 0-of-9 shooting night against Miami on Dec. 12. Jan 27, 2022 The starters for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game are set. CS Media Limited All Rights Reserved. In 16 prior All-Star Games, Bron averaged 24.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. If that happens, we'll have to reevaluate. Gilgeous-Alexander also has far less help than Lillard, who gets support from Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant, and Morant, whose Memphis Grizzlies won 56 games last season (while going 20-5 without him) and boast experience up and down the roster. Obviously some of the leagues most elite talents like Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and LeBron James will headline the event once again, but there are some very deserving talents in this league that could very well be this years first-timeNBA All-Stars. His poor defense coupled with the lack of clutch heroics that defined his 2021-22 season leaves him on the short end of a crowded race. The bold prediction is that the Spurs will surpass 20 wins this season. Our player-based RAPTOR forecast doesnt And Haliburton is in the same conversation as two of history's greatestin his age-22 season. They currently have the second-worst record in the league, only better than the Houston Rockets at 13-45. Mitchell also produces 1.24 points per possession in isolation, an elite rate bettered only by Kyrie Irving among those with at least 2.0 iso tries per game. Jaylen will be competitive too, assuming the league throws him at backcourt again. Case in point, LeBron James returning home to put on a show in front of the Cleveland crowd tonight. Towns is the most efficient center after Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. Salary info via Spotrac. Therefore, it is high time we voted for our favorite players to be a part of the All-Star game, taking place in Cleveland on February 20th. The most important thing is how you respond to it. VanVleet also boasts the best splash rate among volume catch-and-shoot launchers (47.4), the second-most makes from 25-plus feet (2.8 per game at a 38.6 percent clip) and more clutch threes than anyone (17 on 45.9 percent shooting). Butler has played in only 32 games, but is one of only six players averaging 20, 6 and 6, has been efficient, and also defends at a high level. Expect a box score more in line with that when this one is all said and done. Remember that this team sat atop the West way back in October. It's a good thing Joel Embiid has played over 300 fewer minutes than Durant and Tatum and roughly 100 fewer than Antetokounmpo. It's Team LeBron for me, and maybe by a comfortable margin. Fastbreak on FanNation polled 25 different NBA media members from around the country during the 2023 NBA All-Star break. His spin move remains as devastating as it is predictable. Now, the format changes that have come about in recent years are due to the fact the game was no longer competitive, particularly on the defensive end. After a slow start, the rookie bounced back with better efficiency, highlighted by his new one-handed free-throw form. Basically, pick a narrative you like and hope it stays true. Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Baseball Sports Trading Cards, Once more, well have our headlines and feeds populated by rumors of Lillards possible departure from Portland. Nobody in the NBA has made more field goals or scored more total points than Durant this season, which feels right for this generation's preeminent bucket-getter. Zach LaVine and James Harden will be among the favorites to nab East All-Star reserve spots. In November, they won just one out of their 15 games. LeBron James has piloted Team LeBron to a perfect 4-0 record since the league let captains assemble the rosters, starting in 2018. Despite the attention that comes with being the sun in the league's most heliocentric offense, Doni has managed to increase his scoring efficiency to career-best levels (49.4 percent) while upping his usage rate for the third straight year. The Phoenix Suns have been without multiple rotation players throughout the year. East reserves: LaMelo Ball, Jimmy Butler, Darius Garland, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Jayson Tatum, Fred VanVleet. We only get two spots here, and in addition to Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, there are two other backcourt players in the West that deserve consideration as reserves. Draymond Green Golden State Warriors. And once more, hell make a strong commitment to this organization, as he always has. The forward is averaging 19.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists plus 1.2 steals a night. The 2023 NBA All-Star Game arrives on Sunday, with the best of the best taking the floor in Salt Lake City. The trade deadline drama continues to headline what is happening in the NBA, along with teams jockeying for positions in both conference standings, but a key event that nobody seems to be paying attention to is the NBA All-Star Game that is right around the corner! The 71st NBA All-Star Game and its festivities will be held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio this weekend. He's one of only three players averaging at least 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals this season. In addition to having a playing-time edge, SGA is also tops among the trio in points per game, Box Plus/Minus, VORP, win shares and RAPTOR WAR. He has a Celebrity Game MVP on his resume already (2018, when he tallied 19 points and five rebounds). But none of the reserves whom we'll get to in a moment has a better case than AD right now. Allen and Butler are arguably the most important players on their respective teams, which by the way, rank first and fourth, respectively, in the East. Another young player from the Spurs who is gaining some attention in the NBA is Jeremy Sochan. Injuries. Only Stephen Curry averages more than VanVleet's 4.0 triples per outing, and even Curry can't match VanVleet's 40.1 percent connection rate. Copy this into the source of your page where you want the article to appear: Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Zion Williamson's status as the only player averaging at least 25 points on better than 60 percent shooting might be enough to get him consideration for a starting spot all on its own. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. With that in mind, its time to try making some predictionswhich includes the individual award nominations, the teams that will be in the Playoffs and who will win the ring. That's no small feat for someone with two All-NBA nods on his resum. Web2022 NBA ALL-STAR PREDICTIONS. With 17.9 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, Sabonis is doing all of the traditional big man stuff the Kings could want, but his 6.6 assists are what show his value. $40.00 2022-23 Panini Instant All Star Weekend Rising Stars Team PICK YOUR CARD PRESALE. Plus, Poeltls departure at the trade deadline also affected the Spurs both on and off the court. What used to be a one-game showcase is now a four-team, three-tilt tournament. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He might struggle a bit due to his extended absence but he could make an impact right away. Giannis Antetokounmpo's motor only has a top gear, the Cavs have their hometown fans behind them and the rookies are busy proving they belong. Averages of 20.4 points and 6.3 assists communicate that fairly well, but more niche dives into his numbers better express what he does for his team. With this move, the Blazers would have a wealth of options to acquire a star via trade in the offseason. NBA All-Star voting officially opened on Dec. 20, and we've reached the one-third mark of the 2022-23 season. He can hoop and put on a show while doing it, which are essentially items No. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Slight regression on two-point jumpers won't be enough to cost him clear All-Star status. Team LeBron: James Harden G (Out).Team Durant: Kevin Durant F (Out), Draymond Green PF (Out).Find our latest NBA injury reports. Middleton is delivering much like he did last summer in The Finals. James picked Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic and DeMar DeRozan to start alongside him, while Durant countered with Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, Jayson Tatum, Trae Young, and Andrew Wiggins. Even though the Spurs had their moments this season, they have seriously struggled for most of it. But since Nov. 21, Williamson has led New Orleans in passes made, assists, potential assists and points created via assistby huge margins in most cases. Due to the injuries of NBA TV 2022 All-Star Home Events ALL EVENTS Team Durant vs. Phoenix has the NBA's best record -- how many All-Stars does it deserve to have in 2022? Paul, much like LeBron James, is defying age by playing at a high level. Those are two good reasons to start thinking Realistically Trae will be the top vote getter in the East backcourt. Take note that most of them are restricted free agents after the season. LeBron also only put up four points in 13 minutes in last years game. Rising Stars Challenge during the 2023 All-Star Weekend. Even though the Spurs are having one of the worst seasons in franchise history, some players are making the most out of the situation. The post Houston Rockets: 4 bold predictions after 2023 NBA All-Star break appeared first on ClutchPoints. LeBron James and Kevin Durant drafted their All-Star teams in a televised broadcast on TNT. But they lost a scoring threat when Chris Duarte went down (toe) and defense when Davion Mitchell was lost (hand), and while Kuminga and Bones Hyland are capable replacements, they may not have the same juice as the initial selections. With that being said, here are three bold predictions for the Spurs following the 2023 NBA All-Star break. For now, though, Davis has done more than enough in the 25 games he's played to justify a starting spot in the All-Star game. By this, we mean Portland will swing for the fences in the offseason. Here are your 2023 NBA All-Star Starters. On the other hand, a poor run could result in a high draft pick for the 2023 NBA Draft, following the selection of Shaedon Sharpe as the No. NBA All-star voting has begun. The Spurs entered the break at 14-45 and No. Devin Booker's All-Star case is about more than scoring 58 points to drag his team out of a 24-point hole against a budding rival, all while leaving the experience somehow still unsatisfied. Team Isiah boasts the right amount of experience, athleticism, scoring, distributing and maybe even a pinch of defense to get this done. East reserves: Jarrett Allen, LaMelo Ball, Jimmy Butler, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, Fred VanVleet. The three-point shot still hasn't arrived, but that's the only aspect of Bam Adebayo's season that comes anywhere close to registering as a disappointment. Sign Up Now, Canada: Bet $1, get $100 in free bets when you sign up with BetVictor! Don't take Ja Morant's status as the final West player mentioned the wrong way. RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Wednesday night's slate. James is back in his home state, eager to enjoy the game after a frustration-filled first half for the Los Angeles Lakers and in position for another legacy lift, since a fourth All-Star Game MVP would match him with Kobe Bryant and Bob Pettit for the most all-time. Most of those numbers represent the best marks of his career. The total, on the other hand, hit the board at 319.5 and has already been bet up to 320.5 at some shops. Throw in SGA's late-game heroicshe leads the league in both total clutch points and free-throw attemptsand we have enough information to split hairs in his favor. Here are the predictions for the final part of the NBA season. If you want to swap him with one of the truer backcourt players from that section, go right ahead. After missing the playoffs for three consecutive years, they entered a rebuilding mode by trading away All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for mostly first-round picks.
