2014 3 point Contest Gambling Odds
The NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday with its typical short spread and lofty total, but there’s plenty of opportunity for bettors to rake in some cash before the ball is thrown up on Sunday night.
Here’s a look at the competitors in Saturday’s Three-Point Shootout, and who may stand the best chance of taking home the top prize.
Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors +200
There’s a lot to like about Stephen Curry’s shot – as to how it translates to this contest is another story. Curry has a quick release and can really get into a rhythm when he’s shooting. On the season he’s knocking down threes at a .415 clip, a strong average for a point guard, but that’s also 24 points lower than his career average. It’s also worth noting that he’s 0-2 in this competition, as was his old man, Dell. With bettors having sucked all of the possible value out of this line and a poor track record, Curry is someone to stay away from.
Arron Afflalo, SG, Orlando Magic +500
Not many people will give Afflalo a second thought in this competition, but the UCLA product has consistently knocked down three-pointers in his NBA career, and while he’s largely gone unnoticed in Orlando in recent years, but has to be considered a dark horse for this event. That a relative unknown’s odds are in line with the past two winners of the event is pretty telling.
Kyrie Irving, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers +500
Kyrie Irving is the player looking to defend his crown this time around. Given that he won this event last season, it would be difficult to understand how Irving finds himself installed at these odds, but anyone that’s followed the association this season knows that Irving has endured his fair share of struggles this year. He’s knocking down threes at a .369 clip, 16 points lower than his career average, though he does enter the All-Star break having knocked down nine of his last 13 three-point attempts.
Kevin Love, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves +500
Love will participate in his second Three-Point Shootout on Saturday in the midst of his strongest season to date. He’s knocking down his triples at a rate of just .370, but does enter with a Three-Point Shootout title to his credit from back in 2012. Still, a back ailment that’s bothered him in recent weeks doesn’t lend itself to the type of endurance needed for this competition, so Love’s chances take a serious hit.
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Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards +550
Beal has overcome some early season injury woes to play his best basketball of late. The sophomore has hit on .430 of his three-point attempts this season, including hitting on 14 of his final 23 attempts entering the break. He’s still raw, and it will likely be a little while longer before he’s a serious threat in this competition, though it wouldn’t be surprising if he took it down this year.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers +600
Lillard will be participating in each of Saturday’s skills competitions, as well as the rookie/sophomore game on Friday night. That’s a lot to get in over one weekend. On the year he’s hitting threes at a .404 clip, up from .368 a year ago. He would have to be considered a long shot at best in this competition.
Marco Belinelli, SG, San Antonio Spurs +800
The latest reincarnation of Belinelli has seen the Italian knock down triples at a .448 clip, well above his career average. He’ll be competing in this competition for the first time, and while knocking down three-pointers at a .448 clip in game action is great, he’s been pretty well wide open for most of those shots. Hitting at that rate isn’t going to cut it in this competition.
Joe Johnson, SG, Brooklyn Nets +1000
When he isn’t sticking his index finger in people’s faces, Johnson is knocking down three-pointers at a .390 clip. He’s known for his jump shot, the form of which may not be all that pretty, but his success rate, particularly in clutch moments, has been. His ability to knock down the three without all the pressure in the world on him hasn’t been all that good, but he’ll have 2010 winner Paul Pierce in his corner offering up tips.
The play: Arron Afflalo, +500, Joe Johnson +1000