2012 NBA All-Star Game Starting Lineups To Be Announced Thursday On TNT

TNT will announce the starting lineups for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game during a special airing at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday. There is little drama involved in the fan voting this year, as each position in both conferences' starting fives has been dominated according to the NBA's early voting returns.

The Eastern Conference starters are expected to Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose. The Western Conference starters are expected to be Andrew Bynum, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin. (Yes, four players whose teams play home games in Los Angeles. And all four deserve it.)

NBA head coaches will then vote to elect seven reserves for each conference. Those results will be announced on Thursday, Feb. 9, on TNT. There are usually a few injury absences, as well; commissioner David Stern will replace those players individually leading up to the All-Star Game on Feb. 26.