As NBA All-Star Weekend approaches, sportsbooks have set the stage with favorites and underdogs in the 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk contest, and other festivities.
Key Takeaways
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Lillard has a 54.5% implied chance to reach the 3-Point Contest final.
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Three of the four Slam Dunk contest participants are rookies.
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The NBA will host the first ever three-team All-Star Game tournament.
After an estimated $1.76 billion was wagered on Super Bowl LX, the NBA world heads into its celebratory midyear pause.
This time of year is known for high-flying acts in the Slam Dunk contest, precision sharpshooting in the 3-Point Contest, the craftsmanship of the Skills Challenge, and, for the first time ever, a three-team All-Star Game tournament.
Kicking it off with the Slam Dunk contest, the top online sportsbooks can’t decide on a consensus favorite.
Slam Dunk contest odds
|
Player |
FanDuel |
DraftKings |
|---|---|---|
|
Carter Bryant |
+200 |
+175 |
|
Jaxson Hayes |
+220 |
+175 |
|
Keshad Johnson |
+280 |
+450 |
|
Jase Richardson |
+450 |
+500 |
Gone are the days of the NBA’s biggest and brightest stars competing in the contest. Bryant, Johnson, and Richardson are all rookies, leaving 25-year-old and seven-year veteran Hayes as the group’s senior.
Hayes is also the most productive of the quartet, averaging a modest 6.5 points per game. However, he’s thrown down several highlight-worthy dunks in his career, including an Eastbay on Jan. 26.
The 3-Point Contest, meanwhile, is headlined by a player who could provide one of the best All-Star Weekend storylines in recent memory.
3-Point Contest odds
|
Player |
FanDuel |
DraftKings |
|---|---|---|
|
Damian Lillard |
+360 |
+400 |
|
Kon Knueppel |
+440 |
+400 |
|
Jamal Murray |
+500 |
+450 |
|
Tyrese Maxey |
+550 |
+600 |
|
Donovan Mitchell |
+650 |
+600 |
|
Devin Booker |
+700 |
+650 |
|
Norman Powell |
+800 |
+750 |
|
Bobby Portis |
+1,600 |
+1,000 |
Lillard hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since he tore his Achilles in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals April 27. Despite that, he finds himself as the favorite or co-favorite at the two top sportsbooks and the only player with minus-money odds (-120) at FanDuel to qualify for the final round.
The longtime Portland Trail Blazers stalwart won the event in 2023 and 2024.
Notably, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel is second. A win would make him the first player in franchise history to hoist the trophy.
Shooting Stars odds
|
Team |
DraftKings |
|---|---|
|
Team Knicks |
+150 |
|
Team Cameron |
+250 |
|
Team All-Stars |
+400 |
|
Team Harper |
+450 |
The Skills Challenge is being replaced by the Shooting Stars competition, which has not been seen at All-Star Weekend since 2015.
The competition will see three-person teams compete to score points by nailing jumpers from designated areas on the court. The last team to win was Team Bosh, which consisted of Chris Bosh, Dominique Wilkins, and Swin Cash.
Teams competing in this year’s event include:
Team Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston
Team Cameron: Kon Kneuppel, Jalen Johnson, Corey Maggette
Team All-Stars: Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Richard Hamilton
Team Harper: Dylan Harper, Ron Harper, Ron Harper Jr.
NBA All-Star Game odds
|
Team |
FanDuel |
DraftKings |
|---|---|---|
|
USA Stripes |
+155 |
+180 |
|
World |
+160 |
+155 |
|
USA Stars |
+200 |
+200 |
The new All-Star Game round-robin tournament will see three teams compete in four 12-minute games. The top two teams based on the aggregate score of their matchups will advance to the championship round, where they will play a final 12-minute contest.
While FanDuel and DraftKings are split on which team will win the mini-tournament, they agree that USA Stars are the long shot.
The teams and individuals who will take the floor include:
USA Stars: Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Johnson, Tyrese Maxey
USA Stripes: Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Brandon Ingram, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Norman Powell
World: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Deni Avdija, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Alperen Sengun, Pascal Siakam, Karl-Anthony Towns, Victor Wembanyama
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Read the full article here