Our NBA Dunk Contest Betting Preview looks at all the four participants, their odds and includes the best dunk contest bet from our NBA experts.
The 2024 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest is gearing up to electrify Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, airing on TNT. Dive into our expert analysis and predictions with a peek at FanDuel Sportsbook’s betting lines for this high-flying NBA All-Star Weekend highlight.
Last year’s dunk contest brought a breath of fresh air when Mac McClung, a name not many were familiar with from the G League, burst onto the scene with jaw-dropping dunks.
Scoring perfect marks on three out of his four attempts, he became an instant hit. McClung is returning to the stage, eyeing the $100,000 winner’s prize, ready to wow the crowd and judges once again.
The NBA Dunk Contest Odds
All odds are presented by FanDuel Sportsbook.
- Mac McClung: -190
- Jaylen Brown: +420
- Jacob Toppin: +600
- Jaime Jaquez Jr.: +650
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Who is the Favorite for the NBA Dunk Contest?
After last year’s incredible showing, there’s no shock that Mac McClung heads into the dunk contest as the betting favorite.
McClung’s odds actually opened up around +120 before they were rightfully pounded down to -190, where they still sit on Saturday morning.
The big question is can McClung repeat as dunk champion? There have only been three back-to-back dunk competition winners, with the G-Leaguer looking to join Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson and Zach LaVine, who did it in 2015 and 2016.
Can Jalen Brown’s Star Power Bring Him the Dunk Title?
Absolutely! Adding a player of Brown’s caliber to the dunk contest lineup definitely amps up the excitement and star appeal. It’s fantastic to see him step into the spotlight for this event.
His willingness to participate might indeed pave the way for more high-profile athletes to throw their hats in the ring for future contests. Brown’s reputation for electrifying in-game dunks has fans buzzing about the potential creativity he’ll bring to the competition.
It’s going to be a thrill to see what he has up his sleeve when he gets the chance to showcase his skills without the pressure of a game situation.
Will Jacob Toppin Come Out of Nowhere This Year?
Jacob Toppin, the younger sibling of Pacers forward Obi Toppin, is making waves with the Knicks’ G League affiliate, following his stint at Kentucky during his final two years of college.
He’s even had the chance to show his skills in five games with the Knicks’ main roster this year. This guy’s got an incredible leap—his dunks look as if he’s got springs in his legs!
Is Jaquez Going to Repeat His High School Dunking Success?
Jaquez is quickly proving to be among the top five rookies in the NBA this season. Selected as the No. 18 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, he’s wasted no time making an impact in Miami, building on a solid four-year stint at UCLA. With 24 dunks already under his belt this year, it’s clear the rookie has serious hops.
Plus, the above video shows just how serious Jaquez could dunk when he was still in high school.
Our NBA 3-Point Contest Betting Pick
Our best bet for the NBA 3-Point Contest is Jaime Jaquez at +650 at FanDuel Sportsbook.
McClung is the heavy favorite, and rightfully so. The dunk contest had lost some of its luster in recent years, but McClung’s performance last year was a game-changer, leaving everyone in awe. However, taking a -190 bet in a four-man field doesn’t offer much value.
We are going with underdog Jaquez to take home the dunking title this year. Five years ago he was already dunking over his high school classmates, so we can only imagine what he’s going to bring on Saturday night.
At +650, the odds on somebody we’ve already seen throw down some serious dunks when he was a teenager are just too good to pass up here.
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