The NBA All-Star Game tends to be a great show, as players put a lot of points on the scoreboard and showcase their best individual skills. If you’re looking for defense or a game with meaning, then you’re in the wrong place.
Likewise, the three-point contest, skills challenge, and dunk contest held on All-Star Saturday are a whole lot of fun. But should you bet on the game or the contests? You can if you want – but only if you remember a few important points. Here’s the skinny on the All-Star weekend.
Risk Little
The first rule of thumb is if you are going to bet on the All-Star Game or skills challengers, make sure that you risk very little. A bet on these events is the equivalent of a novelty wager, and you should approach it as such. Don’t try to win a lot of cash on this weekend. It simply isn’t worth the risk.
Have Some Fun
Look at the All-Star weekend as a way to have a little fun and get a little creative with your wagering. That’s really what it’s all about. It’s next to impossible to handicap the game due to the fact that you have two teams made up of guys who are getting together once. You know it’s going to be a lot of run-and-gun basketball. How can you possibly handicap that? Both teams have great players, and both will be looking to put on a great show.
Dunk and Three-Point Contests
These are both fun events that are basically impossible to pick. Playing any of the props or trying to choose the winner of these contests is sort of like playing bingo. So take a stab at it and put a few bucks on someone. Make sure it’s cash that you’re willing to lose.
Concentrate on the Rest of the Season
While enjoying a weekend of NBA All-Star events, use the time to review how you’ve done so far and what you can do to improve. Also, take a look at all of the NBA teams and assess their rosters, the health of players, and their depth. Which teams are looking like they might put on a stretch run and which look to be fading?
Are there clubs that will greatly benefit from the weekend off? What teams are truly dominant and hungry to go all the way? Are there a few teams that will be battling for the final playoff spots? What clubs look like they are going to fade totally and give up? There are teams that in the second half will be so far behind that they will simply phone it in, leaving them vulnerable to long losing streaks. You can make cash on such teams.
Make the Most of It
When All-Star weekend rolls around, make the most of it. Risk little, assess the second part of the season, and get ready to make some cash. This is a time for avid sports bettors to rest a bit and replenish. It is not a time to make cash on NBA basketball.