All-Star games are usually tricky to bet on, but the NBA’s weekend of festivities offers some interesting options. There’s the game itself (which often attracts over bets), the dunk contest (usually just a flier) and there’s the three-point contest, which we can actually handicap. Here’s a look at three players worth betting on and one to avoid:
Bet: Stephen Curry
Odds: +275
Of course, Curry is the betting favorite. Although the events this weekend are in Charlotte, he will be a local favorite as his dad, Dell Curry, was a successful and popular player for the first version of the Charlotte Hornets.
Curry is the best three-point shooter in the NBA, averaging a league-best 5.1 threes per game. He’s shooting “just” 44.9 percent from the field, which is fifth in the NBA and worse than three other contenders at this event, but you have to keep the volume in mind. He launches 11.4 per game; the next closest player is Buddy Hield, who shoots 7.6.
Even though he’s won just one of five three-point contests he’s entered, he’s the favorite for a reason. If he’s motivated, he’s the best bet here.
Bet: Joe Harris
Odds: +600
In the midst of a career-year, Harris is shooting a career-best 46.5 percent from three and he’s making 2.4 per game. What you have to like about him in this spot is that he’s heating up as the break approaches. He connected on 40.8 percent of his threes in January, but is up to 50 percent in February — including 3.3 makes per game. He’s in good form right now and is worth a play as he comes in under the radar.
Bet: Buddy Hield
Odds: +500
We always knew Hield could ball, but it took him some time. He always was a dynamic, brilliant shot-maker in college at the University of Oklahoma and had more shooting range than anyone else on the court in just about any game he played. However, his transition to the NBA was a rough one. His first few seasons were a struggle as the New Orleans Pelicans gave up on him after just one year and he had a tough time figuring out his role in Sacramento. However, now he’s putting together a career-year and he should be excited to be participating in All-Star weekend.
Hield is making 3.4 threes per game, which is the fourth-most in the NBA. That puts him in the same company as Curry, James Harden and Paul George.
One thing to like about Hield is that he shoots threes better on the road (48.6 percent) than at home (42.8 percent), and he’s hitting 49.7 percent since the start of January. He’s a real threat to pull this off.
Avoid: Devin Booker
Odds: +450
On one hand, Booker plays for the Phoenix Suns — one of the two worst teams in the league along with the Cleveland Cavaliers — so this could be his chance to shine. On the other hand, he’s not that intriguing of a bet. Yes, he won this event last year. However, he’s currently shooting 32.9 percent from the three, which is tied for a 124th in the league. On top of that, he’s just returned from a hamstring injury and that could be a bit of a factor.
The last time someone won the three-point contest in back-to-back years was Jason Kapono in 2007 and 2008. That’s the only time that’s happened in the last 15 years, so the odds are against him.
