NBA All-Star Saturday Night Picks
Which stars will rise above the others to win the events of NBA All-Star Saturday Night? Here’s our predictions for the competitions.
Skills Competition
This event looks to be the most competitive, as oddsmakers at YouWager have Lou Williams as the favorite with +325 odds. Other short odds to win are Jamal Murray (+425) and Joel Embiid (+550). The big men have actually won in recent years with Karl-Anthony Towns winning in 2016 and Kristaps Porzingis winning last year. The entire field is taking part in this event for the first time. This event requires a little bit of everything from shooting, passing and dribbling skills. Quickness is important as well. I actually like Spencer Dinwiddie at +600. He is having somewhat of a breakout year and this is a chance for him to shine on a national stage. He has the point guard skills with the ability to shoot as well. SKILLS COMPETITION PREDICTION: SPENCER DINWIDDIE +600
Bet on NBA All-Star Weekend Odds
3-Point Shootout
Golden State’s Klay Thompson is listed as a +175 favorite to win tonight while Eric Gordon and Wayne Ellington each have +550 odds to win. Thompson and Gordon are former winners and Thompson has the most experience of the contenders. He also comes into the weekend leading the NBA in 3-point percentage at 45.4. Paul George, who is shooting 43.2 percent this season is a consideration at +800 to win, but I like Thompson’s stroke and his experience in this event. 3-POINT SHOOTOUT PREDICTION: KLAY THOMPSON +175
Slam Dunk Contest
This year’s field is very intriguing as Dennis Smith Jr. (+165), Donovan Mitchell (+215), Larry Nance Jr. (+225) and Victor Oladipo (+400) are all contending. Two are rookies that are looking to make a splash tonight, but I personally like Nance at +225. Standing 6-foot-9, Nance Jr. has the length advantage on the three other competitors. He can also jump out of the building. His leaping ability combined with his length give him the options to be more creative with his dunks. If he hits on his first attempts, I find it hard to believe the other competitors will be able to hang with Nance. SLAM DUNK CONTEST PREDICTION: LARRY NANCE JR. +225