NBA Basketball Betting: The NBA All-Star Game is back despite the lockout shortened season, and will feature the top players the world has to offer all together on one court. Watch for plenty of highlight reel dunks and very little defense as the two sides treat the fans to a spectacle on the hardwood.

Taking place in sunny Orlando, Florida, the 2012 All-Star game will pit the elite of the East versus the best of the West. Both sides have a nice mix of old standbys that have become All-Star regulars and new guys participating in the game for the first time in their careers.

For the East, the starting lineup reads like a GM’s dream. At point is reigning MVP Derrick Rose, whose big dunks and quick first step should serve the game well. Then come the duo out of Miami in Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, two human highlight reels. At the other forward spot is Carmelo Anthony, who never met a shot he didn’t like. As if that lineup wasn’t formidable enough, you have the best center in the league holding down the middle in Dwight Howard.

The West combats that lineup with a starting five full of guys out of Los Angeles. From the Lakers, Kobe Bryant holds down a guard spot while center Andrew Bynum earns his first appearance thanks to a stellar start to the year. From the other side of the city, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin look to bring a fresh set of lobs to this year’s game. The lone player outside of Hollywood to make the starting five is Kevin Durant, though he may be the best of the five.

Tune into the 2012 All-Star game on Sunday, February 26. With all the big names and highlights flying around the Amway Center in Orlando, this will be a game you won’t want to miss.

Log into BookMaker Sportsbook and get betting odds for the 2012 NBA Season and information about this and all other sporting events!

2011 NBA All-Star Game Results - East 143, West 148

In a high scoring game, points record counting both team, the main character was Kobe Bryant scoring 37 points nearly catching Wilt Chamberlain's 42 points record in 1961. West dominated since the game started with comfortable advantages close to the 10 points mark (73-64 at halftime). In the second half the script didn't changed and the West had a maximum advantage of 17 points, but in the last minutes the East team led by Amar'e Stoudemire and Lebron James reduced the difference to only 2 points. In that moment appeared Kevin Durant scoring 5 key points (he finished with 34) to stop East streak and the victory was for the West 148-143.

Despite losing the game, Lebron James made history with a triple-double: 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming the second player in the All-Star Game able to do this feat. The first player was Michael Jordan in 1997.