NBA Three-Point Contest: Odds, notes, and best bet
Saturday's NBA Three-Point Contest will be the best segment of the weekend, and there won't be a close second. When Devin Booker - who won the award in 2018 - has the fourth-best odds in a six-player field, you know you're in for a treat.
Steph Curry unsurprisingly leads the pack. Let's dive into the betting odds, notes, and best wager.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | +180 |
| Zach LaVine | +400 |
| Devin Booker | +500 |
| Donovan Mitchell | +550 |
| Jayson Tatum | +650 |
| Jaylen Brown | +700 |
LaVine in for Lillard
Could you imagine Curry and Lillard - two of the best long-range marksmen in the history of the game - battling it out in the final round? Too bad it won't happen; Lillard announced Tuesday he was withdrawing, giving LaVine (+400) the nod.
The former Slam Dunk champion will still bring the heat to this event.
LaVine is having one of the NBA's most underrated offensive seasons, highlighted by career bests in 3-point percentage (43.5%), effective field-goal percentage (61.5%), and true shooting percentage (65.3%), among others.
Fade Mitchell
Mitchell (+550) is up to a career high in points per game (24.2) and 3-point percentage (38.2%). However, I think this is a terrible format for him.
Not only is Mitchell posting just a 50.4% eFG - the second-worst clip in his tenure - he's been spotty in certain areas around the perimeter, including the corners.
Booker has experience
It's crazy to think Booker (+500) is already in his sixth NBA season at just the tender age of 24. He's no stranger to the Three-Point Contest, either, as this marks his fifth time as a participant.
The Suns star has notched three top-three finishes, while his 28-point round in 2018 was the best in the event's history.
Best bet - Jaylen Brown (+700)
Brown might be the most competitive player in this field, so 7-1 is an ideal price to grab. He's pretty balanced at all areas of the perimeter, and his 60% true shooting clip from the corners this year should play well.
A year after Buddy Hield went off at 6-1, don't be surprised if another long shot takes home the Three-Point Contest.
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.