2024 NBA 3-Point Contest Predictions & Picks
This evening, the always highly-anticipated NBA 3-Point Contest will return as part of the NBA’s All-Star Saturday festivities. The competition will take place immediately following the Skills Challenge on TNT.
2024 NBA 3-Point Contest Preview
This year’s field is headlined by defending champion Damian Lillard, with other stars such as Tyrese Haliburton, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, and Jalen Brunson also in the mix. Karl-Anthony Towns, the 2022 champion in Cleveland, is also back in the event.
Below, we take a look at the odds for the 3-Point Contest, including analysis for our best bets. If you need a refresher on the format of the event, take a look at our Odds & Betting Tips preview of this year’s competition
3-Point Contest Participants
- Damian Lillard +420
- Tyrese Haliburton +440
- Trae Young +600
- Donovan Mitchell +700
- Lauri Markkanen +700
- Jalen Brunson +700
- Malik Beasley +700
- Karl-Anthony Towns +700
NBA 3-Point Contest Top Picks
- Donovan Mitchell Winner +700
- Trae Young Winner +600
- Malik Beasley Winner +700
- Donovan Mitchell – Over 18.5 Round 1 Score (-125)
- Trae Young – Over 20.5 Round 1 Score (-110)
- Malik Beasley – Advance To Final Round (+140)
Donovan Mitchell 3-Point Contest Prediction
A lot of people evaluate strong bets for the 3-Point Contest by examining catch-and-shoot numbers from the regular season, but I prefer to look at shooting zones ahead of this event – something that has served me well in past seasons.
Donovan Mitchell is someone who immediately stands out in this crowd when looking at shooting zones. He finished the first half of the regular season ranked 4th in made 3-pointers per game from above the break, and he was 3rd in attempts from that area of the floor. Mitchell also knocked down those shot attempts at a 36.3% clip prior to the All-Star break, which ranked 6th-best among players who are attempting at least 4.0 above-the-break 3-pointers per game this season. His biggest vulnerability will be the corners due to his relative unfamiliarity with those shot attempts. Nevertheless, he scored 22 points in the opening round of this competition in 2021, and his range could benefit him on the STARRY shots from above the break in 2024.
- PICK: +700 to Win
- PICK: Over 18.5 Round 1 Score (-125)
Trae Young 3-Point Contest Prediction
Trae Young has competed in this event twice, and it seems as though he is getting closer and closer to figuring out how to give himself the best chance to win. In 2020, Young scored only 15 points in the opening round, but he was forced to rush his “money” rack in the final few seconds after not pacing himself properly. In 2022, Young took a more shrewd approach – putting his “money” rack above the break, giving himself more time to get the shots off, while also putting the rack in an area of the floor where he has more consistent attempts during the regular season.
Coming back for a third time, Young has all the tools to get the job done. His quiet and repeatable mechanics should help him maintain stamina for all 5 racks. He has learned how to effectively pace himself in this competition after not doing a good job of pacing in previous attempts. Young also has the range to knock down one or two “STARRY” shots, which are worth 3 points. He is as good a bet as anyone to make it out of the first round. If he gets to the championship, anything can happen.
- PICK: +600 to Win
- PICK: Over 20.5 Round 1 Score (-110)
Malik Beasley 3-Point Contest Prediction
Malik Beasley will be competing in the 3-Point Contest for the first time in his career on Saturday, but his skill set seems well-suited to translate to the competition. Beasley has been an assassin from the corners during the regular season, leading the NBA in made 3-point field goals per game (1.3) from that area of the floor. None of Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton, Trae Young, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, or Karl-Anthony Towns are even averaging 1.0 attempts per game from the corner spot this season.
Lauri Markkanen has been a popular pick among the betting community for this event on Saturday, but Beasley is likely the better option if considering a corner-3 specialist as part of your portfolio for the 3-Point Contest. Beasley should be able to consistently repeat his quiet mechanics while maintaining stamina in this competition, giving him a good chance to get out of the opening round for a chance at some hardware.
- PICK: +700 to Win
- PICK: Advance to Final Round +140
Image Credit: Getty Images