The NBA All-Star Game is still a day away, but there’s plenty of excitement on tap for Saturday. The Skills Challenge and Three-Point Contest kick off the festivities in San Francisco. However, the main event, as always, is the Slam Dunk Contest. While this year’s edition might lack star power, there’s still plenty of young players looking to put on a show. Here are my favorite picks to make on DraftKings Sportsbook ahead of tonight’s action.
The Favorite: Mac McClung (-140)
Anyone with a shred of knowledge about tonight’s event knows this is Mac McClung’s title to lose. The career G-Leaguer hasn’t made much of an impact at the NBA level. Still, he’s unquestionably one of the game’s top dunkers. The 26-year-old has won this contest two years in a row, placing him in elite company. Another win would make history; no player has ever won three straight Dunk Contests.
Precedent suggests that the former champion will reign supreme once again. However, as seen during last weekend’s Super Bowl, a three-peat is easier said than done. There’s an element of voter fatigue that needs to be factored in, as judges will be eager to crown a new dunk king. Still, until proven otherwise, McClung deserves to be priced at -140. It’s not the best value play, but this is still the safest bet available compared to the rest of the field.
Best Value: Stephon Castle (+550)
Three challengers will attempt to dethrone McClung tonight: Matas Buzelis (+350), Andre Jackson Jr. (+600) and Stephon Castle (+550). Of that trio, the latter is my favorite play on the board. The rookie has been terrific for the Spurs, averaging 12.9 points and 3.5 assists per game. Obviously, season-long statistics don’t mean much heading into a contest like this. However, the 20-year-old easily has the most on-court momentum of anyone heading into Saturday’s event.
Going back to Castle’s college days, he’s always had a flair for the dramatic. There’s also something to be said for his 6’6″ frame. That height is advantageous, as we’ve seen (relatively) smaller players get a boost from judges in the past. The UConn alum lacks an elite vertical compared to McClung, Buzelis, and Jackson Jr. However, he makes up for it with impressive power at the rim. As a favorite for Rookie of the Year, Castle is also the biggest name in this Dunk Contest. The young guard offers solid value with only the third-highest odds to win it all tonight.
