2025 NBA 3-Point Contest Predictions & Picks
On Saturday night, the always entertaining NBA Starry 3-Point Contest will return as part of the NBA’s All-Star festivities. The competition will take place immediately following the Kia Skills Challenge on TNT at 8:00 p.m. ET.
2025 NBA Starry 3-Point Contest Preview
This year’s NBA Starry 3-Point Contest features five All-Stars – Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, and Damian Lillard, making it easily the most star-studded event of All-Star Weekend. Fans also have the chance to witness history in the 3-Point Contest this year, with Lillard going for a record-tying 3rd consecutive title in this competition.
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 +300
- Buddy Hield +490
- Darius Garland +550
- Norman Powell +550
- Cam Johnson +700
- Tyler Herro +700
- Jalen Brunson +950
- Cade Cunningham +1200
| Date | Saturday, February 15, 2025 |
| Location | Chase Center |
| TV | TNT |
NBA 3-Point Contest Top Picks
- Buddy Hield — 3-Point Contest Winner
- Buddy Hield — To Qualify for the Final
- Darius Garland — To Qualify for the Final
- Norman Powell — To Qualify for the Final
Buddy Hield 3-Point Contest Prediction
Hield hasn’t had the greatest season of his career to date, shooting only 36.3% from deep – his worst percentage since the 2021-2022 season with the Pacers. That being said, Hield is a former winner of this All-Star Saturday competition. He has quiet mechanics, which allow for him to easily repeat his shooting motion in this event without fatiguing too much while trying to attempt 27 shots in a short period of time.
There is also something to be said for Hield having a little bit of a home-court advantage this year. Though the arena atmosphere of All-Star Weekend is undoubtedly different than that of a regular season game, Hield is still likely to be more familiar with the backdrop at Chase Center than the rest of his peers on Saturday.
Hield is unlikely to be a popular betting pick in this year’s contest, but he’s more than capable of making a run at his 2nd career 3-point title.
- PICK: +490 to Win
- PICK: To Qualify for the Final (-105, FanDuel)
Darius Garland 3-Point Contest Prediction
Prior to this event every year, there are a lot of analysts who examine catch-and-shoot numbers from the regular season, operating from the assumption that those data points will translate well to the 3-Point Contest format. Instead, I prefer to look at shooting zones – something that has served me well in past seasons.
Entering this year’s 3-Point Contest, Garland leads the entire NBA in field goal percentage on above-the-break 3-point attempts this season, shooting 44% on 5.7 attempts per game. This is important for a couple of reasons. First, there are two racks stationed above-the-break in this event. Second, this is likely to translate to the STARRY Range more than any other zone on the court. If Garland can knock down one of his STARRY Range attempts, those 3 points are likely to go a long way in helping him advance to the final round in this competition.
- PICK: To Qualify for the Final (+110, FanDuel)
Norman Powell 3-Point Contest Prediction
Powell, similar to Garland, has been lethal from above-the-break this season, shooting 43% on 6.7 attempts per game during the first half of the campaign. Notably, Powell is also shooting an efficient 44% on corner-3 attempts this year, meaning that he has good numbers from all areas of the floor heading into this contest.
There could also be some added motivation for Powell to perform well in this event on Saturday given that he was not selected for Sunday’s 74th annual All-Star Game despite averaging 24.2 points per game this season, 18th best in the entire NBA. There are some fatigue concerns for the final round for Powell due to the elevation he gets on his jump shot, but he’s one of the best shooters in the league and should have more than enough stamina to put up a strong opening round at a minimum.
- PICK: To Qualify for the Final (+110, FanDuel)
Image Credit: Getty Images