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No. 7 is lucky in Las Vegas. Now it is for Chris Bosh, as well.
The Miami forward earned his seventh consecutive All-Star appearance when reserves for the Feb. 26 game in Orlando, Fla., were announced Thursday.
It's his second with the Heat after going five times for Toronto.
"It's always an honor and a thrill to be selected. . . . I'm definitely aware of how things have gone in my career," Bosh said. "I'm a lucky dude. I just consider me being in the right situation at the right time. I've worked pretty hard. And I'm a blessed guy. I'm happy just to be able to accomplish the things that I have so far."
The Heat previously had forward LeBron James and guard Dwyane Wade named as East starters for the All-Star Game. It's not out of the question Bosh could join the two for the opening tip if New York forward Carmelo Anthony, also voted in by the fans, is slow to heal from the groin injury that has him sidelined.
Other reserves named in voting by coaches for the East are Chicago forward Luol Deng, Indiana center Roy Hibbert, Philadelphia forward Andre Iguodala, Atlanta guard Joe Johnson, Boston forward Paul Pierce and New Jersey guard Deron Williams.
West reserves named are Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge, Memphis center Marc Gasol, Minnesota forward Kevin Love, Phoenix guard Steve Nash, Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, San Antonio guard Tony Parker and Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook.
The other East starters previously named are Orlando center Dwight Howard and Chicago guard Derrick Rose. The West starters will be Lakers center Andrew Bynum, forwards Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City and Blake Griffin of the Clippers, and guards Kobe Bryant of the Lakers and Chris Paul of the Clippers.
Bosh is happy the action will be played just up the road from Miami in Orlando, the first time the All-Star Game has been in an East city since 2003. Last year's game was in Los Angeles.
"It's just down the street," Bosh said of Orlando. "I hope all the other teams have to travel far like we did last year. It's right down the street. That helps out a lot. And hopefully we can take advantage of that (by getting more rest)."
It's possible James, Wade and Bosh could have even more company from the Heat in Orlando. Whichever teams have the best record in each conference through next Wednesday will send their head coach and staffs to the game.
But Wednesday's 102-89 loss at Orlando makes it much more difficult for Miami's Erik Spoelstra to get the nod. The Heat dropped to 19-7, two games behind the 22-6 Bulls. Chicago must lose at least two of its next three games for Spoelstra to have any chance.
"What it would mean is that we would have the best record, and I'd take that any day of the week," Spoelstra said of the possibility of being selected.
Then again, it doesn't sound as if Spoelstra would be too torn up if he's not the East All-Star coach.
"It's an awesome event . . . for players," Spoelstra said.
For James and Wade, it marks eight straight selections. And Bosh has continued to lag one behind.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at christomasson@hotmail.com or on Twitter @christomasson
