San Francisco will become a festival of NBA excellence when the 2025 All-Star Weekend lights up from February 14 through February 16. People are intensely excited about the Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, and Skills Challenge because these three events have generated important historic memories during All-Star Weekend.
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Three-Point Contest: Can Lillard Three-Peat?
This year, The Three-Point Contest brings together seasoned veterans and up-and-coming talents searching to establish their dominant presence.
- Damian Lillard (+350)
- Buddy Hield (+475)
- Tyler Herro (+550)
- Norman Powell (+500)
- Darius Garland (+600)
- Jalen Brunson (+600)
- Cam Johnson (+850)
- Cade Cunningham (+1100)
Damian Lillard (+360 odds) is the title favorite as he seeks to win his third consecutive three-point contest, which has been achieved only by Larry Bird (1986-88) and Craig Hodges (1990-92). The threat to Lillard comes from challengers Hield and Herro because of their shot release speed and consistent shooting.
For bettors, a key factor is shot consistency under pressure—players like Hield (+400) and Garland (+450) have excelled in high-pressure moments during regular-season play. Bettors should watch for last-minute odds shifts based on player form and warm-up performances.
The Slam Dunk Contest presents an opportunity for McClung to establish himself as the three-time champion of the event.
Mac McClung’s outstanding performances have led to a renewed popularity of the Slam Dunk Contest throughout the past few years. Having established his supremacy twice in 2023 and the following year, 2024, the dynamic high-flyer Mac McClung stands ready to win three slam contest crowns, which would only match the achievement of Nate Robinson in league history.
This year’s participants include:
– Mac McClung (-220)
– Stephon Castle (+350)
– Andre Jackson Jr. (+500)
– Matas Buzelis (+550)
McClung remains the guy to beat here in this competition because of his explosive jumping ability and inventive dunks that he can execute flawlessly. Buzelis and Castle join the list of rookies who hope to establish their place in the game. Gamblers’ caution should be present when betting on unexpected dunk champions, yet Jackson Jr. (+500) possesses potential as an underdog bet because underdogs with surprising dunk skills have proven successful in previous years.
The Skills Challenge:
Four teams of two athletes will participate in this year’s Skills Challenge, where they strive to win the championship title.
Cavs (Donovan Mitchell & Evan Mobley) +195 (Favorites)
Spurs (Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama) +200
Warriors (Draymond Green & Moses Moody) +275
Rooks (Zaccharie Risacher & Alex Sarr) +350
With Wembanyama and veteran Chris Paul, Spurs bring a hidden potential to the contest, while Mitchell and Mobley of Team Cavs are clear favorites.
The betting strategy should support Mitchell and Mobley due to their exceptional ball control and multi-functional abilities, whereas the novices face challenges given their lack of knowledge about the contest rules.
Betting Insights & Final Thoughts
The betting success for All-Star contests depends heavily on evaluating player condition and earlier tournament results alongside betting trends. The following points serve as important betting guidelines:
Observe the pre-game warm-up performance because hotness from any participant could transform their live betting odds into valuable opportunities.
Athletes who are surprised as winners in prior Dunk Contests could represent compelling bets after McClung starts poorly, since their betting value will increase.
The Skills Challenge rewards teams that excel in ball handling and make effective decisions.
Players at Bovada have multiple betting options through the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend because all three major competitions offer numerous wagering opportunities. Multiple updates, including shifting odds and betting patterns, will become available during the weekend.
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