The three-point competition will precede the Sprite Slam Dunk contest, and handicapping the field, is—as usual— something of a crapshoot. The contest ultimately boils down to which of the eight shooters can manage to catch fire while jumping from rack to rack and hoisting up open triples.
This year, there is a heavy favorite to win the event, but as with any year, the right guy catching fire can steal the show easy. It is not too hard to remember when Kevin Love won it, despite being a heavy underdog. So, do not sleep on the guys after the big kahuna in this event.
Klay Thompson (+175)
Klay Thompson is a repeating champion and the favorite to win it this year at +175. Thompson’s quick release, success in this event, and his overall accuracy make him an easy choice, even if the payout and return on this bet are not outstanding.
Thompson should be able to win this field, but ultimately if he gets cold, then it is wide open for the other seven contestants.
The Contenders:
Eric Gordon (+550)
Eric Gordon is the underdog we like here. He’s a volume shooter and is being rewarded for two excellent seasons with the Houston Rockets. Beating Klay Thompson is a tough bill, but we like Gordon’s chances better than any others.
Devin Booker (+550)
More of a scorer than a pure shooter, we think of Devin Booker as a fool’s bet here.
Wayne Ellington (+575)
The field’s least-known and least popular contestant can still shoot the rock really well. Ellington could surprise, but winning seems unlikely.
Bradley Beal (+600)
Bradley Beal probably is the third-best option in this event, because when Beal is hot he is one of the best shooters in the league. He is also a pure shooter, which we like.
The Long Shots:
Paul George (+800)
Paul George can get hot, that makes him an interesting dark horse here.
Kyle Lowry (+1400)
Kyle Lowry is the field’s shortest contestant and his shot is tiresome. Expect him to falter on the final racks.
Tobias Harris (+1600)
If it were all corner threes, Tobias Harris would be in the money. But it’s not.
