2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Odds & Betting Tips
The 2025 Slam Dunk Contest is almost here! Follow along as betting expert, Nick Galaida, breaks down the Slam Dunk Contest odds, format, rules, and betting tips before the event begins this Saturday as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.
2025 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest Odds
- Mac McClung -190
- Andre Jackson +550
- Matas Buzelis +600
- Stephon Castle +600
At one point, the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend was an iconic event, drawing some of the biggest names in the sport to compete in a highly respected competition each year. However, in recent seasons, the league has struggled to get big names to participate, and 2025 is no exception.
Two-time defending Dunk Contest champion Mac McClung headlines the player pool once again, looking to become the first player in history to win this event in 3 consecutive seasons. He will be joined by Andre Jackson, Matas Buzelis, and Stephon Castle, each of whom will be making their Dunk Contest debut.
- Date: Saturday, February 15th, 2024
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- TV: TNT
- Location: Chase Center
Slam Dunk Contest Format
Unlike many other events that take place on All-Star Saturday, the format of the Dunk Contest has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1984. That being said, there has been one new wrinkle introduced for 2025, which could have a significant impact on the outcome of the event.
In previous years, there were five judges, all of whom were present at the scorer’s table at half court. This year, the NBA is allowing fans with a free NBA ID account to submit a score for each dunk during the contest. The average of those scores will count as one of the five official scores from the judges – meaning that the fans now account for 20% of the voting process. The average of the five judge’s scores will be used to determine the score for an individual dunk.
Each participant will be given 90 seconds and will be limited to three attempts to complete a successful dunk for each of their opportunities during the competition. A “dunk attempt” is defined as any action taken in an effort to attempt a dunk. If a player makes a dunk, they will be scored on that dunk – they are not allowed to reattempt any additional dunks, even if they have not used all of their three attempts.
Round 1
In the opening round of the Dunk Contest, each player will have two dunk attempts. Following each player’s first dunk attempt, the order for the second dunk attempt will be determined by the inverse order of scores from each player’s first dunk attempt. For example, the player with the lowest dunk score on their first dunk will go first for his second dunk attempt.
The two players with the highest combined scores from their two dunks in the opening round (Dunk #1 score + Dunk #2 score) will advance to the championship round of the contest. If two players finish the opening round with the same combined score, the judges will be asked to vote to advance one dunker to the final round.
Championship Round
In the final round, each participant will once again be required to make two separate dunks.
Similar to the order determination from Round 1, the participant with the lowest total score from the opening round will dunk first in the championship round. The order of competition for the second dunk in the championship round will be determined by the inverse order of scores from the first dunk in the championship round. For example, the player who has the lower score on their first dunk attempt in the championship round will attempt their second dunk prior to the other player.
The dunker with the highest final-round score (Dunk #1 + Dunk #2) will be crowned the champion of the event.
Tiebreakers (If Necessary)
If both players finish the championship round with the same total score from their two dunks, there will be a “Dunk-Off” to determine the sole winner. In the “Dunk-Off,” each participant will be limited to one attempt.
If there is a tie after the “Dunk-Off” round, the judges will be asked to vote for the winner of the competition.
2025 Slam Dunk Contest Betting Tips
To state the obvious, the Dunk Contest is not an analytical event. There are no advanced statistics to cite and there are no trends to analyze. Ultimately, it’s a subjectively judged competition, which rewards players for creativity, high-difficulty attempts, and style.
If there is one notable fact that is potentially worth considering ahead of this year’s Dunk Contest, it’s that no player has ever won this event 3 years in a row – not Zach LaVine, not Nate Robinson, not Jason Richardson, and not even the great Michael Jordan.
Mac McClung won last year’s Dunk Contest in many ways simply because none of his peers showed up with much of anything impressive. There could be some voter fatigue this evening, and the league could be pushing for a new winner as they try to inject some new life and excitement into this once highly respected All-Star Saturday festivity. The underdogs – Andre Jackson, Matas Buzelis, Stephon Castle could be barking here. Castle, 6’6’’ and 215 pounds, fits the frame of someone who should be able to finish with grace and power. This past summer’s 4th overall draft pick would be an easy champion for the league to market.
Image Credit: Getty Images