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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cole Huff

Odds and best bets for all of Saturday’s NBA All-Star events (featuring the Slam Dunk Contest and more)

Bettors, the NFL season is over, MLB hasn’t yet started and the 2022-23 NBA regular season is about to go over a week without games. What in the world are we supposed to bet on? I’ll tell you what — NBA ALL-Star Weekend.

That’s right, the league’s best will gather in Salt Lake City this weekend to participate in a number of events. But today, we’re focusing on Saturday’s lineup, which includes the Rising Stars Tournament, the Skills Challenge, the 3-Point Contest and the Slam Dunk Contest.

Here is a look at each participant’s odds, as well as insight on who to bet on.

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Rising Stars Tournament

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Odds via BetMGM

Team Deron (+175)

Team Pau (+175)

Team Joakim (+325)

Team Jason (+475)

Winner: Team Joakim

I love that Jeremy Sochan is on Joakim Noah’s team. Putting the two of them together should create some fireworks. I also like Josh Giddey running the show quite a bit. Sign me up.

Skills Challenge

Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Team Jazz (-120)

Team Rookies (+140)

Team Antetokounmpo (+475)

Winner: Team Jazz

Last year, the hometown team (Team Cavaliers) won this event, and I think the home team will win again on Saturday. The Jazz players know this court and know the rims better than the competition. Don’t sleep on how important that is.

3-Point Contest

(David Banks-USA TODAY Sports)

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Damian Lillard (+425)

Buddy Hield (+425)

Jayson Tatum (+500)

Kevin Huerter (+550)

Tyler Herro (+550)

Tyrese Haliburton (+600)

Julius Randle (+650)

Lauri Markkanen (+700)

Winner: Lauri Markkanen

Am I doing this because of the long odds? Maybe. But also because I think Lauri has one of the most effortless shots in the league, and it shouldn’t take much effort for him to get up the shots in a timely manner. Let’s see if he can win it for the big men for a second-straight year.

Slam Dunk Contest

(Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Odds via BetMGM

Jericho Sims (+170)

Kenyon Martin Jr. (+210)

Mac McClung (+250)

Trey Murphy (+320)

Winner: Trey Murphy III

There’s a lot of hype for Mac McClung, so I’m prepared to be disappointed in his Dunk Contest showing. Trey Murphy, on the other hand? I love a tall and athletic wing that can throw it down. I’ll take that bet.

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