NBA All-Star Game: Best Bets and Player Props

The 73rd annual NBA All-Star Game will be hosted by the Indiana Pacers this Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This year's midseason exhibition will feature new faces and old, as well as an exciting return to the game's old order.

For the first time since 2017, the All-Star Game will pit the Eastern Conference versus the Western Conference. Doc Rivers, who has already coached three All-Star games (1-2 record), will be at the helm for the East, while Chris Finch will coach his first ASG on behalf of the number one-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.

The NBA has, aptly so, opted for a hijinks-less format this year, so we should be in for a classic. The game starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and can be watched on TNT.

Here's a look at how the All-Star Game rosters shake out for each team, with starters listed in bold.

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.

NBA All-Star Game Best Bets

East +3.0 (-108)

This is less so a bet on the Eastern Conference and more so a bet on the toss-up nature of NBA All-Star Games.

Defense is, at best, an afterthought in the midseason classic, and the exhibition nature of this game is always taken to heart.

Dating back to 1997, we've seen 20 All-Star games in this East vs. West format. The Western Conference won 12 of these games while the Eastern Conference won 8 games.

The Indiana Pacers, who are home to the Eastern Conference, will serve as the host for this matchup. In the aforementioned 20-year split, the host city's conference won 9 games while the away team has taken home 10 victories (the 2007 ASG was held at a neutral-site location).

LeBron James, who will suit up for a record-setting 20th ASG appearance this Sunday, has gone 10-9 in these games.

This is all to say that there is, essentially, no rhyme or reason as to which team reigns victorious in this game, so I'll take the points if given a chance.

But while it doesn't feel totally off base to chalk this game up as a coin toss, there are a few things we can look at that could be indicative of Sunday's outcome.

Joel Embiid (knee), the not-so-arguably best player in the East, will not play in this game. But Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, arguably the best two players in the West, have historically taken this game unseriously.

Doncic has been selected for four ASGs and averaged just 7.0 points per game in this span. Jokic, meanwhile, has played in five of these games and accumulated just 6.4 points per contest. The frivolous play from the best in the West paired with Embiid's absence in the East could serve as a wash in this one.

I am finding interest in the young players over in the Eastern Conference. With the exception of Embiid and Julius Randle (injured), the players on the East have been selected for a combined 41 All-Star games. The players in the West, meanwhile, have been selected for a combined 91 All-Star appearances.

The West could be a bit jaded about this affair, which could translate to a specific lack of effort. The East comes in with four first-year selections on their roster, and typically, those players try to show out. I'm happy to be given points to side with a young and gritty Eastern Conference.

Over 364.5 (-110)

The NBA has seen unprecedentedly high game totals this season, so I expect Sunday's showdown to be a total barnburner.

In 2017, the most recent iteration of this East vs. West format, the game ended with a towering 374-point total.

The 2016 All-Star Game was hardly different, wrapping up with a 369-point total.

Since that time, regular season NBA games have featured expedited paces and voluminous three-point shooting, so it seems right that it would translate to a lofty game total this weekend.

Plus, it is quite fitting that this game is taking place in Indiana. The Pacers have paved a path for mind-boggling game totals this year, including a monstrous 309-point game total this past November.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse will be rocking on Sunday for a game that seems primed for ample scoring.

NBA All-Star Game Player Props

Shai-Gilgeous Alexander To Score 35+ Points (+980)

I'm calling my shot here, but I did a double-take upon seeing these ultra-high odds for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring prop. It seems erroneous to back a great SGA performance at this high price.

SGA is averaging 31.1 points per game this season (second-most among eligible players).

He currently touts +210 odds (second-shortest) to take home this year's MVP trophy and has led his Oklahoma City Thunder team to the West's second-best record.

Now is his time to shine, and he'll get a chance to make his mark in the starting lineup this Sunday, which will mark his first-ever ASG starting nod.

In last year's ASG, three players scored at least 35 points. It's not out of the question that we could see multiple players score 35-plus points once again, and SGA is the main player I'd like to back in this regard.

Not only is he one of the league's highest and most efficient scorers, but he will be sharing the court with the likes of Doncic and Jokic, who have shown little to no interest in shooting the ball in these games. Plus, the Western Conference's starting lineup is rounded out by a pair of old-timers, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Look for them, who have already won the All-Star Game MVP award, to defer scoring duties to SGA on Sunday.

Anthony Edwards To Score 20+ Points (+122)

After SGA, I think we could see Anthony Edwards show the most inspired efforts for the West this weekend.

This will mark Edwards' second All-Star Game appearance, and though he's coming off the bench as a reserve, I think we could see Coach Finch give his star player some room to shine.

Edwards is averaging 26.3 points per game this season. He and SGA are the only two players on the West's roster who have been selected for just two All-Star games, so I wouldn't be surprised if they take on a high share of scoring duties on Sunday.

Tyrese Maxey Over 10.5 Points (-130)

Tyrese Maxey could shine in his first-ever All-Star Game.

Maxey is a high-volume and solid three-point shooter, meaning a game that lacks defense could create awesome looks for him on Sunday.

He is averaging 25.7 points per game this season, and with Embiid out, will be the sole representative of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Plus, Maxey will be reunited with his former head coach, Doc Rivers, this weekend. Rivers and Maxey shared a mutual respect during their time together in Philadelphia, so I'd look for Rivers to give special consideration to Maxey's court time.

New to FanDuel Sportsbook? You have a chance to get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first bet wins—valid across all sports! See the promotions page for more information.

Looking for the latest NBA odds? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and check out all of the NBA betting options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.