Like MLB in the ’90s, chicks dig the long ball in the NBA, too.
The 3-point contest has slowly become the event people most want to see at NBA All-Star weekend over the past few years.
This year’s contest will have some familiar faces, including Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, who still hasn’t returned from the Achilles injury he suffered in the playoffs last season.
He will garner a ton of attention because people love a good story, and he won the contest in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024.
Lillard has +450 odds, behind the Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, who is the favorite at +280 at bet365 Sportsbook and ahead of Nuggets guard Jamal Murray at +600.
Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, who is competing for the first time, has +650 odds, along with Suns guard Devin Booker.
NBA 3-Point Contest odds
| Player | Betting odds |
|---|---|
| Kon Knueppel | +280 |
| Damian Lillard | +450 |
| Jamal Murray | +600 |
| Tyrese Maxey | +650 |
| Devin Booker | +650 |
| Donovan Mitchell | +700 |
| Norman Powell | +850 |
| Bobby Portis | +1400 |
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (+700), Heat guard Norman Powell (+850) and Bucks big man Bobby Portis (+1400) round out the field.
Booker jumps out immediately in this group.
He’s had a rough shooting season, hitting just 31.1 percent of his 3s, but Booker is a career 35 percent shooter who is often taking high difficulty shots as the No. 1 option on his team.
Booker won this competition in 2018, also in L.A., with a score of 28, the second-highest score in a final round. Despite his struggles this season, he has one of the most natural shooting forms in the league.
There’s a difference between shooting with a defender in front of you and shooting off the rack. The fact that he hasn’t done the former well recently shouldn’t impact his ability to do the latter.
Betting on the NBA?
As much as I like Knueppel, I’ll need to see him handle the pressure of being the favorite before I’ll believe he’s ready.
Having experience helps in this competition, which is why there are so many repeat winners. I’m buying low on Booker to make the final round.
The Pick: Devin Booker to make the final (+140, bet365)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017. He’s a data nerd with a particular focus on the NBA and combat sports. He spends his weeknights in the winter looking for edges on plus-money NBA player props.