NBA All-Star Weekend 2018 odds: Slam Dunk, Three-Point events highlight betting lines

Dennis Smith Jr. is enjoying a productive rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 14.8 points and 4.9 assists per game. On NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, however, all eyes will be on Smith Jr.’s slam dunking abilities.

Smith Jr. is going off as the favorite on the odds to win the Slam Dunk Contest at +170 at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. While possessing a similar build to fellow guards and dunk competitors Donovan Mitchell (+220) and Victor Oladipo (+400), Smith Jr. has the most noticeable pop of the three, which is what has him in this spot as a slight favorite over the rest.

At 6’9, Larry Nance Jr. (+265) will tower over his competition in this tournament. Given his larger frame, Nance Jr. will need to come up with some creative dunks to wow the judges over his shorter competitors. He should have some tricks up his sleeve, though, as his father Larry Nance Sr. won the first Slam Dunk Contest in NBA history.

Bettors won’t find much value in wagering on the clear favorite of this year’s three-point contest. Klay Thompson is going off at +210 to win this event, clearly separated from a talented pack that includes defending champion Eric Gordon (+450), Wayne Ellington (+700) and Devin Booker (+550). Thompson and fellow Golden State Warriors teammate Steph Curry had some intense head-to-head battles in 2015 and 2016, with Thompson getting the better of Curry and winning the event in 2016.

With Curry not participating, Thompson figures to be the one to beat, though Gordon may feel slighted after he just beat a field that included Thompson last year. Rounding out the three-point shooting competitors are Kyle Lowry (+1000) and Tobias Harris (+1100).

Moving into the Skills Challenge, no clear favorite has emerged out of a crowded group of contenders that includes Lou Williams (+350), Jamal Murray (+400), Lauri Markkanen (+700), Joel Embiid (+600), Al Horford (+500), Spencer Dinwiddie (+550), Buddy Hield (+600), and Andre Drummond (+900).

Kristaps Porzangis won the skills challenge last year and was preceded by Karl-Anthony Towns, another big man. Markkanen seems to be pegged as this year’s potential big man sensation in this competition.

For more odds info, picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news check out the OddsShark podcast with Jon Campbell and Andrew Avery. Subscribe on iTunes, or check it out at OddsShark.libsyn.com.