With NBA All-Star Weekend on the horizon, sportsbooks are setting odds for favorites and underdogs in various events such as the 3-point contest, slam dunk contest, and other exciting festivities.
Key Highlights:
- Damian Lillard has a 54.5% implied chance of reaching the 3-point contest finals.
- Three of the four slam dunk contestants are rookies.
- The NBA will debut its first-ever three-team All-Star Game tournament.
Following the massive wagering of an estimated $1.76 billion on Super Bowl LX, basketball fans now shift their focus to the All-Star break, which showcases thrilling events like the high-flying Slam Dunk Contest, sharp-shooting 3-Point Contest, the Skills Challenge, and this year’s inaugural three-team All-Star Game tournament.
Starting with the Slam Dunk Contest, online sportsbooks have yet to agree on a clear favorite. Notably, Carter Bryant, Keshad Johnson, and Jace Richardson are all rookies, while Jackson Hayes, a seven-year vet at age 25, is the most experienced participant. Hayes averages 6.5 points per game and has produced memorable dunks, including one on January 26th at East Bay.
In the 3-point contest, Damian Lillard stands out, despite being sidelined since tearing his Achilles on April 27 during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. He’s either the favorite or a close second on leading sportsbooks and is the only participant to enter the finals with negative odds at FanDuel (-120). Lillard, a longtime Trail Blazer, won the contest in both 2023 and 2024. Charlotte Hornets rookie Con Knuppel trails him in the odds but could make history by becoming the first player from his franchise to claim the title.
Replacing the retired Shooting Stars competition, the Skills Challenge will feature teams of three attempting shots from various spots on the court. Last won in 2015 by Team Bosh (Chris Bosh, Dominic Wilkins, and Swin Cash), this year’s competing teams include:
- Team Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony Towns, Alan Houston
- Team Cameron: Con Knuppel, Jalen Johnson, Corey Maggette
- Team All Star: Scotty Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Richard Hamilton
- Team Harper: Dylan Harper, Ron Harper, Ron Harper Jr.
The revamped All-Star Game introduces a round-robin tournament with three teams playing four 12-minute games. The top two teams by cumulative scores will face off in a 12-minute championship match. While FanDuel and DraftKings differ on the outright winner, both identify the USA Stars as favorites.
The teams are composed of the following players:
- American Star: Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Johnson, Tyrese Maxey
- US Stripes: Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Brandon Ingram, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Norman Powell
- World: An assorted lineup including nine players such as Deni Avja and Shai Gilgeous
This story was originally published on Covers.com.
Fan Take:
This year’s All-Star Weekend is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic yet, with fresh faces in the slam dunk contest and a bold new format for the All-Star game itself. For basketball fans, it’s an exciting chance to see emerging talent alongside established superstars pushing the limits of the sport’s entertainment value.
