When it comes to the NBA All-Star experience, All-Star Weekend is one of its most popular attractions. Between the three-point and slam dunk contests and the skills challenge, there is something for everybody.
Instead of happening on Saturday night, those three competitions will occur during the pre-game and halftime portions of Sunday’s All-Star Game.
As with most sporting events, bettors can wager on the winners of each competition. As of March 3, BetOnline’s favorites to win each competition are:
- Three-point contest: Stephen Curry +190
- Slam dunk contest: Obi Toppin +150
- Skills challenge: Luka Doncic +200
Curry Looking for Third NBA Three-Point Title
Odds via BetOnline as of Wednesday, March 3
- Stephen Curry +190
- Zach LaVine +250
- Donovan Mitchell +350
- Devin Booker +500
- Jaylen Brown +750
- Jayson Tatum +750
It goes without saying that Stephen Curry is the greatest three-point shooter in NBA history. Not only is he attempting the most 3s per game in the league this season (11.7), but he’s also making the most (4.8). It’s not surprising to see Curry as the favourite to win a competition that he’s already won twice before.
On the other hand, it’s not like Curry has a cakewalk on Sunday. He has competition in Zach LaVine, who has a career-high 43.3 three-point shooting percentage this season. There’s also Devin Booker, who won the three-point contest in 2018.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell, at +350, will be competing in the three-point competition for the first time in his career. The 2018 slam dunk champ is posting career-highs in all three-point-related categories this season.
Toppin on Top of Slam Dunk Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Wednesday, March 3
- Obi Toppin +150
- Anfernee Simons +175
- Cassius Stanley +200
In his first NBA season with the New York Knicks, Obi Toppin headlines the slam dunk contest as the favorite. While he’s only averaging 4.7 points per game coming off the bench this season, Toppin has gone 18-for-18 on slam dunks this season. At 6’9” and possessing an impressive vertical and speed to match it, Toppin has a good opportunity to be on every NBA fan’s mind when the weekend is done.
Anfernee Simons is a close second in odds at +175. The 6’3” shooting guard is averaging 8.2 ppg in his third season with the Portland Trail Blazers. Don’t let his height fool you, though. Even as a guard, Simons has managed to put up some dunks throughout his career. His height just makes it that more impressive.
Sportsbooks may be giving Cassius Stanley the highest odds of winning the NBA dunk competition, but that doesn’t mean he can’t win. Stanley possesses a 44-inch vertical leap. He also had a higher vertical than Zion Williamson when they played together at Duke.
Will Doncic Prove He’s the Most-Skilled NBA Player?
Odds via BetOnline as of Wednesday, March 3
- Luka Doncic +200
- Chris Paul+225
- Domantas Sabonis +400
- Robert Covington +500
- Nikola Vucevic +650
- Julius Randle +800
What can’t Luka Doncic do? He can shoot, rebound and pass, and already has seven triple-doubles this season. He competed in the 2019 skills competition, only to lose to Trae Young in the semifinals
Doncic has since improved and will want to cement himself as the most skilled player in the NBA. However, he must face a player like Chris Paul, who will go down in history as one of the most talented point guards of all time. The skills competition involves a passing portion and there aren’t many better passers than Paul.
Domantas Sabonis is another name to keep track of after finishing second-place in last year’s competition. He is also dealing with an ankle injury this week, so keep an eye out as to whether or not he suits up this weekend.
