The Dunk Contest has long been the premier event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night, even if it has seen a decline in popularity lately. There’s a reason why it’s still the final competition of the evening.
This year’s contest features Mac McClung, the returning champion, and Jaylen Brown, who will become the first All-Star to compete in the event since 2018, alongside two other contenders.
Here are the latest NBA Dunk Contest odds, as well as a short list of the best bets you can make before it all goes down this Saturday, Feb. 17.
Note: NBA odds for the Slam Dunk Contest are unavailable as of Friday, Feb. 16, at 11 a.m. ET.
NBA Dunk Contest Odds
- Mac McClung, Osceola Magic (G League)
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
- Jacob Toppin, New York Knicks
- Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Odds haven’t been posted for this year’s Dunk Contest, but it’s expected that McClung will lead the pack as a heavy favorite. The 25-year-old earned perfect scores for three of his four attempts in last year’s event, which helped him earn the trophy.
Brown will likely come in with the second-shortest odds given his All-Star pedigree, with Toppin — the younger brother of 2022 Dunk Contest champion Obi Toppin — and Jaquez viewed as outsiders.
NBA Dunk Contest Best Bet
Mac McClung, Osceola Magic
McClung became the first G League player to be invited to the NBA Dunk Contest in 2023, and he made the most of the opportunity. Earning 199.8 out of a possible 200 points for his four dunks, McClung proved he belonged with a stellar demonstration of 360s and beyond.
What sets McClung apart from the crowd is his absurd 43.5-inch vertical and acrobatic skill. Despite standing just 6-foot-2, he can get up — and stay there — with ease.
If you can get him at (-200) odds or better, I would go all-in on McClung. This is his competition to lose, and I expect him to go even deeper into his bag after showing off in last year’s contest.
NBA Dunk Contest Contenders
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Brown is an intriguing contender in this event given his stature in the league. Stars have shied away from competing in the Dunk Contest for years, and many are hoping his presence will encourage some of the NBA’s best players to put aside their pride and show off their skills.
Brown is no stranger to dunking — he’s made 58 this season — and he’s thrown down some vicious slams throughout his eight-year career in Boston.
While not quite as acrobatic as McClung, Brown dunks with authority, and that kind of showmanship is essential to getting the crowd involved. If he gets creative and rallies the fans behind him, he could have a chance to knock off McClung in the final round.
Check out the rest of our NBA All-Star predictions and best bets:
- NBA Rising Stars
- NBA Skills Challenge
- NBA 3-Point Contest
- NBA All-Star Game
- NBA All-Star Game Props
- NBA All-Star Game MVP
NBA Dunk Contest Format
There are two rounds in the dunk contest, and each player gets two dunks per round. Five judges will rate each dunk in the range of 40 to 50 points, and the average of their scores will be the final score for the dunk.
Each competitor will get 90 seconds and a total of three attempts to complete their dunk. For a try to count as an attempt, the player must control the basketball and move it toward the rim.
All four players will participate in the first round. Then, the two competitors with the highest total scores will advance to the final round, where the process will be repeated.
Should there be a tie between the two finalists, a “dunk-off" will take place to determine the winner, with each player getting one attempt. Unlike in years past, if there is still a tie after the dunk-off, the judges will then choose the champion, rather than going through another dunk-off round.
