This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha
LaMelo Ball for All-Star Game MVP (+4000) -- FanDuel, 1:16 PM CT
I think it makes sense to choose a player who is both a showman and won't feel pressured to take it easy due to title contention, like Giannis or Curry. It wouldn't surprise me if Ball played the most minutes and racked up the most total stats with flashy play, which is a great combination for winning All-Star Game MVP. I'm shocked that his odds are this long.
Karl-Anthony Towns to win 3-Point Contest (+1200) -- FanDuel, 1:17 PM CT
I think Towns is getting disrespected as a three-point shooter since he's a big man. Over the past five seasons, he's shooting 40.5 percent from distance on 5.1 attempts. He's the player with the longest odds, which I'll gladly get behind.
Jalen Green to win Dunk Contest (+200) -- DraftKings, 1:17 PM CT
Green didn't participate in the combine and didn't go to college, so his vertical is undisclosed. But, just from the eye test, he has the best chance of anyone in the contest to get his head over the rim, and he throws down with nasty power while being able to contort his body well. That's about all you can ask for, and I think, ultimately, he's the most aesthetically-pleasing dunker in the contest.
Nick Whalen
Jalen Green to win the Dunk Contest (+200) -- DraftKings Sportsbook, 3 PM CT
This Dunk Contest field is wide open, and that's clearly reflected in the odds. The stage could certainly be set for Juan Toscano-Anderson or Cole Anthony to snag what would be a somewhat-surprising victory, but it feels like Green is the player everyone will be tuning in to see. He's had plenty of highlight-reel, in-game dunks this season, but the Dunk Contest is a whole different style of dunking, and Green's mix of power, fluidity and top-tier leaping ablity is built perfectly for it.
