The NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday with its typical short spread and lofty total, but there\u2019s plenty of opportunity for bettors to rake in some cash before the ball is thrown up on Sunday night. <\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a look at the competitors in Saturday\u2019s Three-Point Shootout, and who may stand the best chance of taking home the top prize.<\/p>\n
Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors +200<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot to like about Stephen Curry\u2019s shot \u2013 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\u2019s shooting. On the season he\u2019s knocking down threes at a .415 clip, a strong average for a point guard, but that\u2019s also 24 points lower than his career average. It\u2019s also worth noting that he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Arron Afflalo, SG, Orlando Magic +500<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Kyrie Irving, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers +500<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s followed the association this season knows that Irving has endured his fair share of struggles this year. He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Kevin Love, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves +500<\/strong><\/p>\n Love will participate in his second Three-Point Shootout on Saturday in the midst of his strongest season to date. He\u2019s 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\u2019s bothered him in recent weeks doesn\u2019t lend itself to the type of endurance needed for this competition, so Love\u2019s chances take a serious hit. 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\u2019s still raw, and it will likely be a little while longer before he\u2019s a serious threat in this competition, though it wouldn\u2019t be surprising if he took it down this year.<\/p>\n Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers +600<\/strong><\/p>\n Lillard will be participating in each of Saturday\u2019s skills competitions, as well as the rookie\/sophomore game on Friday night. That\u2019s a lot to get in over one weekend. On the year he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Marco Belinelli, SG, San Antonio Spurs +800<\/strong><\/p>\n The latest reincarnation of Belinelli has seen the Italian knock down triples at a .448 clip, well above his career average. He\u2019ll 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\u2019s been pretty well wide open for most of those shots. Hitting at that rate isn\u2019t going to cut it in this competition.<\/p>\n Joe Johnson, SG, Brooklyn Nets +1000<\/strong><\/p>\n When he isn\u2019t sticking his index finger in people\u2019s faces, Johnson is knocking down three-pointers at a .390 clip. He\u2019s 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\u2019t been all that good, but he\u2019ll have 2010 winner Paul Pierce in his corner offering up tips.<\/p>\n
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\nBradley Beal, Washington Wizards +550<\/strong><\/p>\n