NBA All-Star Saturday Night looks a little different nowadays, as the Skills Challenge is gone and the Shooting Stars competition is a bigger part of the evening. However, I’m strictly zeroing in on the two main events that still move the needle for fans and bettors — the Three Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest — breaking down the odds and diving into the participants to uncover the most actionable edges.

2026 NBA Three Point Contest Odds

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of 1:30 pm ET on Friday, February 13

Embed from Getty Images
  • Kon Knueppel +300
  • Damian Lillard +450
  • Jamal Murray +550
  • Devin Booker +550
  • Tyrese Maxey +650
  • Donovan Mitchell +700
  • Norm Powell +850
  • Bobby Portis 13-1

2026 NBA Three Point Contest Picks

I’m rolling with Lillard at +475 odds. It might be difficult coming to grips with the idea of putting money on a player that hasn’t played all year, but Lillard is a two-time Three Point Contest champion. He won this event in back-to-back years, claiming the crown in 2023 and 2024.

You’d also have to imagine that Lillard has been doing nothing but working on stand-still jumpers. The career 37.1% 3-point shooter is working his way back from a torn Achilles, so his on-court work is likely packed with low-impact, spot-up drills. That means Lillard should be healthy enough to maneuver his way to the five spots on the floor, and I have very few doubts about him finding ways to handle his nerves and deliver big performances.

If I wasn’t going with Lillard, I’d probably play Murray at +550. He’s a guy that can go on some absurd runs as a shooter, and this competition could bring out the best in him. However, this is Murray’s first time competing in this event, which could end with him turning in a bit of a disappointing performance in Round 1. That’s actually one of the reasons I’m not looking to back Knueppel. The rookie might be the best shooter in this competition, but this is going to be a very new experience for him.

Another play I’m making is Portis Over 2.5 Moneyball Makes in Round 1. That’s available at -155 and feels like a really strong value play. You’re telling me a good NBA shooter can’t go 3 for 5 from his favorite spot on the floor? Portis is shooting 45.1% from deep this year! This is actually a play I’m taking to win 1.5 units. It’s my favorite play for Saturday.

2026 NBA Dunk Contest Odds

Odds from Kalshi as of 1:30 pm ET on Friday, February 13

  • Carter Bryant +195
  • Jaxson Hayes +285
  • Keshad Johnson +315
  • Jase Richardson +425

2026 NBA Dunk Contest Pick

I haven’t been able to find listed Slam Dunk Contest odds since traveling from Arizona to New York on Wednesday, but Kalshi has Bryant at 34%, Hayes at 26%, Johnson at 24%, and Richardson at 19%. Well, I talked about this on today’s episode of Hardwood Handicappers, but I’m not touching the first two players on this list. My plays are Johnson and Richardson to win, risking a unit on both.

Bryant is a big-time athlete, but I’m not sure he deserves to be any higher on the board than the rest of the competitors. Meanwhile, Hayes has the lowest vertical leap of the bunch, and he’s a center. It’s hard for big men to win this event, so he was the first player I crossed off.

When looking at verticals, Johnson actually has the highest of the group. He had a 42-inch vertical at the combine, and he adds some serious power to that. I think there’s a chance the judges like his ability to get up high and throw the ball down with some serious force. He possesses the kind of strength that used to impress in this contest in 20-30 years ago, but he also has some impressive leaping ability.

Oddly enough, I feel Richardson has the best chance of winning, yet he is last on the odds board. The reason I like Richardson is that he’s 6-foot-1, which should make him a fan favorite. He also has the added bonus of getting to play into the success of his father, Jason Richardson, who won this contest twice in his career. At some point, you know Richardson is going to throw on his dad’s jersey and throw down a through-the-legs dunk for a 50. If he does it earlier in the competition, that should give him a good shot at getting into the finals. I’ll take my chances there with odds north of +400.

The post NBA All-Star Saturday Best Bets: Three Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest predictions appeared first on VSiN.