NBA All-Star Weekend betting: 3-point shootout, Slam Dunk contest, MVP

All-Star Weekend in San Francisco is upon us.

As the league celebrates the game's best, let's look at the odds for noteworthy events and give out picks for the Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk contest, and All-Star Game MVP.

Three-Point Contest odds

Damian Lillard is justifiably the favorite as the back-to-back 3-point champion. He's a sniper with unlimited range. Buddy Hield, meanwhile, is having a down shooting season (36.7% from three), but his experience has him listed as one of the favorites. This is Hield's fourth time in the contest, and he won it in 2020.

Norman Powell, Darius Garland, Cam Johnson, and Cade Cunningham are newbies to the competition, Jalen Brunson participated last year but came up short, and Tyler Herro was in it two years ago.

Although shooting balls off racks isn't quite the same as a catch-and-shoot shot, looking at players' catch-and-shoot statistics can provide a glimpse into their potential performance.

Powell is the best catch-and-shoot shooter of the group, as he drills 46% of his looks. Garland trails slightly as a 45% catch-and-shoot shooter. Brunson has the third-best percentage at 43%.

There's value on Brunson, who will be out for redemption after a disappointing showing last year. He failed to advance past the first round despite being two makes shy of the first-round leader. That's likely why he has the second-worst odds, but the Knicks superstar is undoubtedly one of the best shooters in the league.

Pick: Jalen Brunson +800

Slam Dunk contest odds

The Slam Dunk contest isn't the marquee event it used to be, but it's still a fun competition with entertaining dunks from high fliers.

Mac McClung returns as the back-to-back champion and is looking to earn a three-peat. He's the overwhelming favorite after wowing judges the last two years. The 6-foot-2 guard looks like he's jumping off a springboard when he leaps and has the highest vertical of the group. But he's up against worthy competition.

Andre Jackson Jr. is a ferocious dunker with elite hops and a vertical of over 40 inches. The Bucks' second-year starter has a chance if he showcases his vicious dunks while using his peers as props.

Matas Buzelis is the tallest of the group. At 6-foot-10, the Bulls rookie has posterized many defenders, and his guard skills allow him to explode to the rim.

Stephon Castle is tied with Buzelis for the worst odds, but he's my sleeper to take home the hardware. The Spurs guard has elevated over taller defenders all season, often posterizing big men who dare to jump. His athleticism lets him take off from outside the lane, and the basketball world will discover his dunking prowess Saturday night.

Pick: Stephon Castle +550

All-Star Game odds

Adam Silver was so fed up with the lack of effort in the All-Star Game that he completely revamped the format, creating four teams that will compete in a mini-tournament. Three teams are comprised of the 24 All-Stars (eight per team), and the fourth team is Team Candace, the winner of Friday night's Rising Stars Game.

Handicapping the All-Star Game is difficult without knowing the players' effort levels. Will anyone show enthusiasm with this new format after almost nobody exhibited an ounce of effort in the last few years? Based on the rosters, Team Shaq has the best squad. Perimeter players and great shooters typically win these exhibition games as players are reluctant to drive to the rim, and Team Shaq has the most perimeter threats. But it's anyone's guess who will win a meaningless game the players don't care about.

All-Star Game MVP

*Players longer than 18-1 not listed

The MVP must play in the championship game, and Team Kenny has the worst squad, so it's wise to stay away from players on his team. Steph Curry is the favorite as the hometown star in the Bay Area - players playing in front of the home crowd typically try harder to put on a show - but let's go slightly down the board and target a first-time All-Star.

Victor Wembanyama has made it clear he's in the All-Star Game to compete. He's cut from a different cloth than many of his All-Star counterparts, and he'll surely bring his competitive drive to the game.

Pick: Victor Wembanyama +750

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.