The NBA slam dunk contest takes place on Saturday so let's break down the odds.
The narrative: Mac McClung looks for a three-peat while three debutants look to steal the crown. I personally like the value on rookie Stephon Castle doing well.
Check out our NBA slam dunk contest odds for the all-star event on Feb. 15.
NBA slam dunk contest odds
Click on linked odds below to bet now. Note: Lines have changed/market no longer available if grey.
| Player | Odds |
| Mac McClung | -167 |
| Matas Buzelis | +450 |
| Andre Jackson Jr. | +450 |
| Stephon Castle | +650 |
NBA odds as of 1:32 p.m. ET on 02/13/25.
Go to full NBA all-star weekend betting markets.
There is good reason for McClung being the odds-on favourite.
- He won the last two dunk contests.
- He's only played one game on an NBA roster (Orlando Magic) this season but has made a name for himself as a staple in this contest.
- The other three contestants are newcomers.
Buzelis, Jackson and Castle are high fliers, however, so I think fans could be in for the best contest in years.
No one has ever won three in a row since the dunk contest's inception in 1986 so the pressure will be on for McClung to etch his name in the history books.
He would also join Nate Robinson and become the second player ever to win three dunk contests.
A rookie with value
Best bet: Castle to reach the final (+140)
Out of everyone in this, I'm the most excited for the rookie out of San Antonio.
Castle's thrown down several monstrous dunks in his first NBA season. Check this jam and how he looks like he's effortlessly floating to the rim.
According to NBA.com's dunk score metric, this ranks as the 26th-best dunk of the season with a score of 92.0.
This metric uses player-tracking data to find an objective measurement of every dunk. Power, jump, style and defensive contest make up the categories used in these calculations.
Castle's 52 in-game dunks rank 52nd in the NBA above players like Myles Turner (40), Scottie Barnes (38), Jaylen Brown (35) and Aaron Gordon (33).
This rook clearly loves to dunk and at 6-foot-6, he's got the size of a rim rocker while maintaining the agility of a point guard.
And this bet doesn't require a fade on McClung. Castle can simply make it to the final but don't be surprised if he wins.
