NBA All-Star Game 2016 starters announcement: Time, TV schedule and live stream

In the third returns, Kobe Bryant led all players with over 1.5 million votes, followed by Stephen Curry at 1.2 million. This will be Bryant's last All-Star game and the fans have made it clear that they want him there. In the preliminary results, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook also seemed like locks for two other spots.

Blake Griffin was at one point the one leading the race for the final slot, but an injury has caused him to lag behind, leaving Draymond Green and Kawhi Leonard to fight for it. Green was in the lead in the third returns by just around 12,000 votes, so it's impossible to know which of them will get in. The one who doesn't get the start will surely be voted in by coaches later on, but both are deserving of the honor. It would be the first All-Star game appearance for both players.

Over in the East, LeBron James has the most votes and will surely start his 12th consecutive All-Star game. Miami's Dwyane Wade and Indiana's Paul George also had enough votes in the third return to virtually guarantee them the start, leaving five players to fight for one guard spot and one frontcourt spot.

Carmelo Anthony overtook Andre Drummond in the third returns for the final frontcourt spot, while Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler remained within striking distance from Kyrie Irving for the last backcourt spot. Irving has only played 14 games so far this season due to injury, so there was some controversy about the possibility of him starting the game. Still, fans have continued to vote for him. It's hard to see anyone catching up to him, but Lowry, who came from behind to start for the East last year, could again make a final push.

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