Adams looking good for first All-Star appearance

New Zealand basketballer Steven Adams is in the thick of the voting for this year's NBA All-Star match in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Adams is currently the sixth-most voted for player in the Western Conference front-court standings behind LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks, Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder teammate - Paul George.

The top five most voted for players from the NBA's Western and Eastern Conference will start in the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte on 18 February.

Fans vote for the starting five for each team while media and the players themselves vote for the remaining bench players. New Zealanders are able to vote online.

LeBron James has received the most votes so far, reaching over one million, while Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks leads the votes in the Eastern conference with just under one million.

James is in his 16th season in the NBA, his first with the Los Angeles Lakers, though he's currently injured with a groin strain.

Adams meanwhile has never been selected for the NBA All-Star match, though is having one of his best seasons in the NBA since joining the league in 2013.

The Oklahoma City Thunder centre is averaging 15.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks a game this season.

The Thunder are currently third on the Western Conference ladder with 24 wins and 13 losses, just one win behind the last year's champions - the Golden State Warriors.

Voting for the All-Star game runs from Christmas Day until 17 January.