The Game Day has compiled the 2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Preview & Picks. This year’s dunk contest will be taking place at 2021 All-Star halftime of the actual NBA All-Star Game.
This should make for an exciting NBA All-Star Sunday since the three-point contest and skills contest are taking place before the game.
Check out our full 2021 NBA All-Star Game Weekend Preview:
- 2021 NBA All-Star Game Preview & Pick
- 2021 NBA Three-Point Contest Preview & Pick
- 2021 NBA Skills Challenge Contest Preview & Pick
- 2021 NBA All-Star Break Injury Updates
2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest: When You Can Watch
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is taking place at halftime during the 2021 All-Star Game on Sunday, March 7. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET on TNT from State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Preview
- Obi Toppin, F, New York Knicks (+150)
- Anfernee Simons, G, Portland Trail Blazers (+175)
- Cassius Stanley, G, Indiana Pacers (+200)
Odds courtesy of BetMGM.
Obi Toppin has had an underwhelming beginning to his NBA career. The eighth overall selection from Dayton is averaging under five points per game and has yet to make his first career start. But none of that matters in the NBA Dunk Contest. Toppin was known for his high-flying dunking ability during his time with the Flyers, so look for him to show the NBA what he is capable of.
Anfernee Simons, a rotational guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, has some serious hops. He averages 17 minutes per night with Portland and has had some decent dunks in-game. However, his wild dunks at practice and in warmups, when there are no defenders, make him a very exciting candidate for this year’s contest.
Now, the rookie out of Duke, Cassius Stanley, has had an extremely quiet start to his NBA career after being selected in the second round. Due to the March Madness cancellation last year, the national basketball community was not able to behold the natural dunking ability of Stanley, who had some electric in-game dunks with the Blue Devils. Only appearing in eight career games so far, Stanley has an opportunity to put the league on notice as the first-ever two-way player to participate.
2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Pick
Best Bet: Obi Toppin
To Win 2021 NBA Dunk Contest (+150)
Wager: 1 unit (win would pay 2.5 units)
Toppin was known for his athleticism and leaping ability during his time with the Dayton Flyers. That’s his calling card, it’s what got him into the league as a lottery selection.
Toppin says he has been watching plenty of dunks over the last few days and might try some dunks that have never been done before.
Sleeper: Anfernee Simons
To Win 2021 NBA Dunk Contest (+175)
Wager: 1 unit (win would pay 2.75 units)
While there are not yet betting odds on the event, Toppin is likely the favorite to walk away as the dunk contest champ. However, Simons could surprise some people. It always looks more impressive when a guard is able to show off their leaping ability.
At 6-foot-4, Simons is the shortest participant in this year’s contest. If he pulls off some high-flying dunks, that could be enough to impress judges Spud Webb, Josh Smith and Dominique Wilkins.
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