Klay Thompson has performed well in the three-point shooting contest in recent seasons, winning the event in 2016 and finishing in third place in 2015. With teammate Stephen Curry deciding to sit out this year’s event, Thompson is a clear favorite to defend his title this Saturday night.
NBA All-Star weekend 2017 odds: Three-point, slam dunk contest betting lines, preview
Klay Thompson and Aaron Gordon enter as the betting favorites at the sportsbooks in the three-point and slam dunk contests in New Orleans on Saturday night.
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Thompson is a +110 betting favorite on the odds to win the three-point contest in New Orleans at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Golden State has so many mouths to feed on offense that Thompson’s output has predictably dipped a bit this season, but he still ranks seventh in the league in three-point percentage at 42.2 percent and fifth in three-pointers made with 182.
Thompson’s 42.2 percent from behind the arc is the highest among any of the shooters in this competition.
Kyrie Irving’s three-point numbers don’t pop off the page, as Cleveland’s point guard ranks 21st in the NBA in three-pointers made and 37th in three-point percentage. But Irving (+400 to win) has a history of success in the three-point contest, with a second-place finish in his last appearance in 2015 and a win in 2013.
Kyle Lowry (+900) ranks third in the NBA in three-pointers made this season with 185, behind only Curry and James Harden. Eric Gordon (+900) is right behind him at No. 4 with 184 makes from downtown. The rest of the field includes C.J. McCollum (+800), Nick Young (+900), Kemba Walker (+1100), and Wesley Matthews (+1100)
Last season, Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon put the slam dunk contest back on the map with a dazzling performance. A season-ending knee injury to LaVine unfortunately prevents a rematch this season, but it paves the way for Gordon to have a clear shot at the title as a -155 favorite on the odds to win the slam dunk contest.
This is expected to be a two-horse race between Gordon and Phoenix Suns rookie Derrick Jones Jr. (+130), who is an excellent dunker with outstanding hops. Bettors hoping for an upset can take their chances on DeAndre Jordan (+800) or Glenn Robinson III (+900) to win the slam dunk contest, but these two will have trouble matching the range and athleticism of the event’s two stars this year.
Three-Point Contest Odds
Klay Thompson +110
Kyrie Irving +400
C.J. McCollum +800
Kyle Lowry +900
Eric Gordon +900
Nick Young +900
Kemba Walker +1100
Wesley Matthews +1100
Slam Dunk Contest Odds
Aaron Gordon -155
Derrick Jones Jr. +130
DeAndre Jordan +800
Glenn Robinson III +900
