NBA Slam Dunk contest betting preview: The case for each player
The NBA All-Star break is underway, giving bettors a chance to play a couple of markets over the weekend. One is the always entertaining Slam Dunk contest, which features three youngsters this year.
Obi Toppin, Anfernee Simons, and Cassius Stanley comprise the three-player field on Saturday. This edition of the event is such a crapshoot that we're going to make a case for each player.
Odds to win the Slam Dunk contest
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Obi Toppin | +150 |
| Anfernee Simons | +175 |
| Cassius Stanley | +200 |
Why you should bet Toppin
Toppin's rim-rocking jams were on display during his Dayton tenure. When the Knicks drafted him at No. 8 in 2020, he left as the program's all-time leader in dunks (190).
His overall impact for the Flyers made him a lottery pick, but the 23-year-old's hops put Toppin on the map. He threw down a whopping 107 dunks during his final season in Dayton, and a highlight-reel play surfacing on Twitter felt like a nightly occurrence.
Dunk of the Day🏀
— James Haring (@JHaring40) July 16, 2020
Dayton vs North Florida 12/30/19
Obi Toppin!!! 😱✈️‼️🔨💥@obitoppin1 @DaytonMBB @DaytonFlyers @DaytonManagers @red_scare @univofdayton @FOXSports @CBBonFOX @A10MBB pic.twitter.com/FDLUzLSFnx
If you don’t know who Obi Toppin is then this is a nice introduction.
— Stuart Feiner (@StuartFeiner) February 29, 2020
Dunk Contest finishes on back-to-back possessions.
Incoming number 1 Pick.#JoinTheFight #Dayton #Davidson pic.twitter.com/RAQzVXksjO
Obi Toppin with the best dunk of the season. Surely the first between-the-legs dunk I’ve ever seen in a game. @otoppin1 pic.twitter.com/BE1egy8MNc
— David Jablonski (@DavidPJablonski) December 29, 2018
Toppin is athletic, creative, and perhaps most of all, relentless.
I'm just now getting to Dayton-Saint Mary's from over the weekend, and I'm so happy I did. Ladies and gentlemen, I present you Obi Toppin and the most audacious dunk attempt anyone will try all season. pic.twitter.com/LvxiSaARgk
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) December 11, 2019
He tried that in an actual game!
Why you should bet Simons
If you're playing the finesse card, go with Simons. He's a 6-foot-3 product of the IMG Academy with incredible bounce. There aren't many 21-year-old NBA players who make floating in the air look this easy.
Anfernee Simons will be in the 2021 NBA Dunk Contest! #RipCity
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 3, 2021
pic.twitter.com/iEpMCm69fq
His smooth athleticism will play well to the judges.
Why you should bet Stanley
Stanley is the ultimate value pick if you're just flat-out stumped. There are so many unknowns surrounding these three players in a volatile market, and a simple cash grab at 2-1 wouldn't be the worst route.
The former Blue Devil will take home the hardware if he can whip up a couple of dunks like this one.
Cassius Stanley in the NBA Dunk Contest!
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 1, 2021
He registered a 44-inch max vert at the NBA Draft combine.
Via @ChrisJHoops | #AlwaysGamepic.twitter.com/xzWd4LVSFF
(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.