:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68917435/1305107898.0.jpg)
The 2021 NBA All-Star Game will be held in Atlanta on Sunday night and we’ll still get the privilege to witness the Skills Challenge prior to the contest. The Skills comp will take place before the All-Star Game with coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT. The field for the Skills Challenge is mostly comprised of All-Stars with a few players traveling down South to compete. Let’s take a look at the opening odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. You can find all the All-Star Game lines here.
NBA Skills Challenge Odds
Luka Doncic +250
Chris Paul +250
Julius Randle +500
Domantas Sabonis +500
Nikola Vucevic +500
Robert Covington +600
So the odds are pretty tight for this competition, tighter even than the 3-Point Contest. The two favorites aren’t surprising in Doncic and CP3. Oddly enough, Paul hasn’t won this competition and hasn’t competed in it since 2011. CP3 has been in the skills comp four times in his NBA career. Normally I’d shy off of a favorite in these circumstances, but knowing the type of competitor Paul is and that he hasn’t won, I kind of like him.
We’ve seen big men win this competition more recently and that’s why I’d also be looking strong at some of the long shots. Julius Randle has a bit of motivation in his first All-Star Game. Sabonis and Vucevic have both competed in this contest in the past few seasons. All three at 5/1 make for decent bets. RoCo is the darkhorse at 6/1, though. He’s going to Atlanta strictly to compete in this competition. He is the only player not playing in the All-Star Game. Why fly all the way down to ATL from Portland (I’m guessing) just to lose the Skills Comp?
If I were betting a favorite, give me Paul. If I’m betting a long shot, give me Covington.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.