NBA All-Star Weekend is here, and Saturday night brings us some of the most fun we'll have all weekend in Indy.
That means we're here with our best bets for the 3-Point Contest and Dunk Contesttonight in the two marquee events of NBA All-Star Saturday.
In fact, you'll find picks for all of Saturday's All-Star festivities from our expert crew on the BUCKETS Podcast below, plus a preview of Sunday's NBA All-Star Game.
But you're here for the best 3-Point Contest and Dunk Contest bets tonight, so let's get to the action.
Best Bets for 3-Point Contest, Dunk Contest Tonight
3-Point Contest
Lauri Markkanen: 22+ Points in First Round
+135
Sean Little: I have a soft spot for Markkanen after his time with the Bulls and I am happy to see him having success with Utah. Last year, he had 20 points in the first round and just missed advancing.
He had the home crowd and was a rookie in the contest, and this year I think he has a chance. He's shooting over 40% from three this year and coming off a good performance last year. I think he can get it done in the first round at least and hit 22 points.
Lauri Markkanen: Advance to Final | to Win
+200 | +800
Joe Dellera: I like Sean's point about this being his second chance in this competition. Last year, he had his money rack in the corner and he makes most of his shots in catch-and-shoot fashion.
This generally bodes well in this contest and he shoots 18% of his threes coming off a screen. Additionally, he is a high-volume 3-point shooter and, of course, his percentage is fantastic.
I think this number is too long. Aside from Malik Beasley, I think he is one of the least-watched players in the contest simply because he is in Utah. I think at 2-to-1 to reach the finals and 8-to-1 to win outright, it's the closest thing I can take to a ladder.
Karl-Anthony Towns to Win
+700
Lauri Markkanen to Win
+800
Andrew O'Connor-Watts: My approach was a process of elimination. I look for a guy who is having a good shooting season. Every winner of the last 10 years, except for one, has shot above 37%, so that eliminates Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard. I also look for recent participants as experience is helpful to get in a rhythm, which eliminates Malik Beasley, Jalen Brunson and Trae Young.
That leaves me with the two above and Tyrese Haliburton, who is nursing a hamstring injury. Also, his number is just shorter. I won't repeat what these guys just said but that leaves me with KAT and Lauri.
Tyrese Haliburton to Win
+550
Matt Moore: Because of the new Starry point system, with the shots that are three feet behind the line, Halliburton from 30-42 feet is shooting 46% this season. This could be a big differentiator.
The market is fantastic and there are a bunch of props you can take. I like Haliburton, who has been incredible from behind the arc this season and shot well in this contest last year.
Dunk Contest
Jaylen Brown to Win
+420
Sean Little: This is purely based on the fact that if he is entering this contest, he must have something loaded up and ready to go. He already gets enough hate, so I would be shocked if he doesn't have something in his bag.
Momentum is a real thing in this contest, so if he can get people going early, a mediocre dunk could look better. I am going to go with Brown at 5-1, which I think is off, and I am excited to see him put on a show.
Mac McClung to Win
-190
Joe Dellera: It was crazy for him to open at +160, and it was quickly taken off the board. Relative to all these other guys, McClung is by far the favorite and currently at -190. None of these other guys are remotely as skilled in dunking.
McClung's bread and butter is dunking and he won last year. His life was made for this moment. Last year, he barely dipped into his bag and I think -190 is still arguably short.
Listen to the latest episode of BUCKETS and read their favorite bets below.
Skills Challenge
Indiana Pacers To Win
+210
Matt Moore: So there are three teams, for those who don't know. The Pacers' team consists of Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner and Benedict Mathurin. Team Top Picks (Paolo Banchero, Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama) is the favorite at +140.
How they grade the skills contest is bizarre. They judge you based on time now instead of actually completing the passes into the buckets. I got into Indy today and the press for Halliburton is all over the place. This is an opportunity for him to raise his brand awareness and put himself on a stage to shine.
In these competitions you want guys to want to win, and I think this being in Indy, he wants to win everything.
All-Star Game Best Bets Sunday
Eastern Conference ML
+125
Sean Little: I was shocked when I saw the opening number and it was so short. I thought it would be at least 4.5. I think the East has a few more heads that care a little more about this game. Giannis Antetokounmpo has proven over the years that he loves to compete in this spot.
There are more chips on the shoulders of guys in the East, with players like Jalen Brunson, Trae Young and Antetokounmpo. I will just take the moneyline because I don't want to worry about a spread in a damn All-Star Game.
Western Conference Spread
-2.5
Joe Dellera: I understand what Sean is getting at. There are definitely some guys in the West who don't care about this game whatsoever. From my perspective just looking at the game, I think the West has guys who will come off the bench who care more.
I think LeBron James and Steph Curry really like the idea of playing with each other, not to mention LeBron and Kevin Durant have never really played with each other. Along with Devin Booker and other guys in the West, you have guys on the bench like Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns, two bigs who can ball. Not to mention the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who can score easily.
The East is without a few big names and I think the atmosphere may get to some guys, whereas the West doesn't have any replacement players.
Use our BetMGM bonus code for bonus bets before making your NBA All-Star Weekend pick.
Luka Doncic Prop
Under 11.5 Points
Joe Dellera: What I noticed in Luka's four All-Star games, he has only scored 8, 8, 8 and 4 points. The most minutes he has played were 32 minutes in 2021, and outside of that he has only played 18, 25 and 19 minutes. It is an odd spot for a guy who just doesn't get the run or doesn't care, I don't know.
He just doesn't see a lot of volume shooting in these contests and he doesn't get to the free throw line because fouls aren't called. He takes pretty much all of his shots from behind the arc and isn't the best volume 3-point shooter.
Steph Curry Prop
Over 5.5 3-Pointers
Andrew O'Connor-Watts: Curry who has hit 9, 7, 9 and 11 in his last four regular season games where teams are playing actual defense.
So in a game with0ut defense, I think he can get 6 in the first quarter. It is low and obviously chalky, but it is one of those he can get quickly.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MVP
+1400
Andrew O'Connor-Watts: It's pretty simple for me: He is having a dominant season and the last 10 winners have, shockingly, all been in the top-10 of scoring, except for one.
He is averaging 31.1 points per game and is having a regular season MVP season. I could see him taking over this game and I think at 14-1, the odds are too good.
Tyrese Haliburton MVP
+1600
Matt Moore: Haliburton is going to win something this weekend. I have no doubt in my mind. So I will be taking him in all three contests he is participating in, and I think he will show out in his city.
