Even though we’re two-thirds of the way into the 2022-23 NBA regular season, most people see the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend as the halfway point. It’s an opportunity to take time off from the sport, have fun, and enjoy meaningless contests.
The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday is said to be the headliner of the weekend, though NBA All-Star Saturday featuring the 3-point contest has the most events to bet on. We’re breaking down the odds and best betting picks to make for this action-packed Saturday night.
It’s supposed to be a fun night for fans and bettors alike, but don’t go overboard. The contests are all exhibitions. Take the advice from Furio of The Sopranos: “Bet with your head, not over it.”
State Farm All-Star Saturday Night Event Info
- Location: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023
- Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: TNT
NBA All-Star Saturday 2023 Odds & Betting Picks
NBA Skills Challenge Odds (Caesars Sportsbook)
- Team Jazz (Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton) -115
- Team Rookies (Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, Jabari Smith Jr.) +160
- Team Antetokounmpo (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo) +450
Team Jazz is the odds-on favorite at -115 in the first event of Saturday’s tripleheader. Between Clarkson’s well-rounded skillset, Kessler’s length and light-footedness as a seven-footer, Sexton’s burst, and their on-court chemistry, this hometown squad is the rightful favorite.
Team Rookies is in the middle of the three units at +160. This team consists of three of the top five selections in the 2022 NBA Draft, led by first overall pick and Rookie of the Year favorite Paolo Banchero. This group is young, fresh, and hungry.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and brothers Thanasis and Alex take the last spot on the Skills Challenge odds boards at +450. After finishing last in last year’s contest, the Greek brothers look to bring home the hardware as the competition’s tallest trio. Experience might come in handy for a competition like this.
The Skills Challenge consists of three mini-games: relay, passing, and shooting. The Jazz players have a massive upper hand in the shooting portion of the competition, which is worth “200 Challenge Points.”
Team Jazz also has a solid chance of locking up the first two mini-games. Given the fact that they share the court every single game, they should have no problem running any relay and passing drill together.
NBA Skills Challenge 2023 Pick: Team Jazz (-115)
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NBA 3-Point Contest Odds
Here are the participants for this year’s 3-point contest, along with their best odds from around the betting market.
- Buddy Hield +425 (Caesars & BetMGM)
- Damian Lillard +470 (FanDuel)
- Kevin Huerter +550 (Caesars & FanDuel)
- Tyrese Haliburton +675 (Caesars)
- Jayson Tatum +700 (Caesars)
- Lauri Markkanen +700 (Caesars)
- Tyler Herro +800 (FanDuel)
- Julius Randle +950 (FanDuel)
Hield (+425) sits at the top of the boards, followed by Lillard (+470) and Huerter (+550). Hield’s teammate, Haliburton (+675) has the fourth-shortest odds, and big men Lauri Markkanen (+700) and Julius Randle (+950) sit near or at the bottom.
We’re going chalk in the second event on Saturday. The 2020 winner shoots the deep ball at the highest clip of any shooter this season (42.3%) and knocks down 3.8 treys a night. He’s also made the third-most catch-and-shoot threes in the NBA this season, which bodes well for this 3-point contest outlook.
If you’re seeking a larger payout, then turn to the hometown hero, Lauri Markkanen at +700. He is the only player, aside from Hield, shooting 40-plus percent from beyond the arc. He also averages 3.0 three-pointers per game, which is the ninth-most in the league.
NBA 3-Point Contest 2023 Pick: Buddy Hield +425
NBA Dunk Contest Odds (DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Jericho Sims +170
- Kenyon Martin Jr. +210
- Mac McClung +250
- Trey Murphy III +320
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, Knicks center Jericho Sims (+170) is the favorite in this year’s dunk contest. The Knicks have the most Dunk Contest champions, including just last year with Obi Toppin. However, a center hasn’t been crowned winner since Dwight Howard in 2008.
Kenyon Martin Jr. and Trey Murphy III are nice and all, but we’re going to go with Mac McClung, who’s looking to become the first G League player to win the dunk contest. McClung has been recognized for his bounce since he was in high school and is the only guard in the group, which will make it look like he’s floating in mid-air.
NBA Dunk Contest 2023 Pick: Mac McClung +250
Also read: NBA Finals odds
DraftKings Sportsbook
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