The game of basketball is evolving with the rapid growth of the ever-pivotal three-point shot. On Saturday night, we’ll see some of the best three-point shooters in the world take the stage in Chicago to compete in the 2020 All-Star Three-Point Contest.
The contest has a flashy new twist to it this year, as there will be two additional shots taken from the “MTN DEW Zone,” in addition to the contests normal perimeter shots. The “MTN DEW Zones” are two locations positioned six feet beyond the three-point line, each of which will be worth three points (similar to a ‘money ball’ type of point swing). Damian Lillard has pulled out of the event due to an injury he suffered during Wednesday night’s game. Previously “snubbed” Devin Booker will take his place in both the Three-Point Contest and Sunday’s actual All-Star Game.
Three-Point Contest Odds (via BetOnline.ag)
Duncan Robinson – Miami Heat (+300)
Davis Bertans – Washington Wizards (+350)
Trae Young – Atlanta Hawks (+425)
*Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns (+500)
Joe Harris – Brooklyn Nets (+500)
Buddy Hield – Sacramento Kings (+700)
Zach LaVine – Chicago Bulls (+1000)
Devonte’ Graham – Charlotte Hornets (+1000)
Phoenix @suns guard @DevinBook has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured @trailblazers guard @Dame_Lillard in the #MtnDew3PT at #StateFarmSaturday. #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/P4WL5DWbb4
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 13, 2020
Winner Prediction: Devin Booker wins with a chip on his shoulder.
The selection committee did a fantastic job of acquiring some very top-tier talent from beyond the arc, but losing Dame Lillard opens this contest wide open.
Buddy Hield owns the title of most threes made this season with 207, but he is at the lower end of the totem pole, sitting at +700 odds to win. Trae Young is clearly the most known of the group, but can he rise to the moment this weekend playing in almost every single event of All-Star Weekend (+425 odds to win)? Youngsters Duncan Robinson (+300) and Davis Bertans (+350) have the best odds of the field to win, but both are participating in their first All-Star Weekends. Reigning champion Joe Harris is a very underrated pick now with Lillard out of the competition, as he has 40% range from deep. Winning the competition in the past should give him the confidence he needs to put on a show as well.
I may be scraping just a bit too far here, but I’m riding the Devin Booker narrative down the Chicago River all weekend long. Booker was extremely vocal on social media and in several pre/post-game interviews about not being picked to be a part of All-Star Weekend. A topic of hot debate when alternates were announced, Booker was clearly the name that the public thought should’ve been included initially. At +500 odds to win, I think that Devin Booker comes out and shows the NBA why he deserves to suit up and puts on an absolute show in Chicago.
