Randle replaces Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons in Saturday’s NBA All-Star Starry 3-Point Contest. Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns won last year’s contest as a +1200 longshot, so maybe there is a chance Randle can win this event at +650?
The 2023 Starry 3-Point Contest rules are pretty simple:
- Players are given 70 seconds to shoot 27 balls from five spots around the three-point line.
- Four of the five racks contain four NBA game balls and one tri-colored money ball. The fifth rack includes five tri-colored money balls. Players select in advance where they would like to have the money ball rack positioned.
- Regular NBA game balls are worth one point, and money balls are worth two points.
- Two additional Starry Range ball pedestals are located between racks 2 and 3. These balls are worth three points each.
- A random draw determines the order of the competition.
Now that we understand the rules let’s look at the eight participants of the Starry 3-Point Contest New Jersey sports bettors have to choose from.
Buddy Hield Indiana Pacers +425
Hield is a co-favorite for a reason–the Pacers sniper knocks down 42.6% of the triples he’s taken this season, and launching nine per game is the volume we’re looking for in this contest.
Hield won this event in 2020 and is primed to do so again Saturday night in Salt Lake City.
Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers +425
This hasn’t been Lillard’s best season from beyond the arc, but the Trail Blazers’ leading scorer is averaging 4.2 triples per night on 11.4 attempts. Lillard is making his third Starry 3-Point Contest appearance, and he’s another high-volume shooter who could take down this event, and maybe the third time is indeed the charm.
Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics +500
Tatum makes his second appearance in this event and is a streaky shooter draining 3.3 of his 9.3 triple attempts for the Eastern Conference top team.
Tatum fell a bit short in 2020 but is the type of shooter who can turn out the lights and win this contest.
Tyler Herro Miami Heat +550
Herro is making his maiden voyage into the Starry 3-Point Contest, and the Heat sharpshooter is knocking down three of his 8.1 attempts this season from downtown.
Herro is dealing with a bruised knee that may or may not affect his shooting, but if the kid catches fire, he could win.
Kevin Huerter Sacramento Kings +550
Huerter is having his best season as a pro in his first season with the Kings. “Red Velvet” is draining a career-high 39% of his triples this season and claims it’s his goal to be in this event.
Mission accomplished, but he’ll have his work cut out in his first Starry 3-Point Contest.
Tyrese Haliburton Indiana Pacers +650
Haliburton is having his worst shooting season as a pro from downtown but knocking down 2.9 of his 7.2 attempts is nothing to sneeze at.
Halliburton has nailed at least 50% of his triples in three of his last five and could make things interesting Saturday.
Julius Randle New York Knicks +650
Randle isn’t known for his three-point shooting prowess, but he scores on 33% of his attempts from beyond the arc for the 6th-place Knicks.
Randle is struggling from downtown and is shooting 31% over his last eight games, and maybe his first Starry 3-Point Contest will inspire Randle to improve his long-range shooting.
Laurie Markkanen Utah Jazz +700
Markkanen will be the crowd favorite, and there is nothing better than shooting the ball in your barn.
Markkanen is shooting a career-best 41% from long range on 7.4 attempts per game. The crowd will help alleviate the first-time participants’ nerves, but he hits the least attempts than the rest of the field, and the volume will be too much.
Phil’s Starry 3-Point Contest Best Bet: Damian Lillard +450
This is Lillard’s third and likely final time participating in this event, and if there were one player I’d want to take a three with the game on the line, it is Damian Lillard.
Trail Blazers fans have seen Lillard drain buzzer-beaters from downtown so often it’s expected, and it’s that type of performance under pressure that wins events like the Starry 3-Point Contest.
Lillard isn’t a shoo-in to win–Hield is having a terrific year and has won this event before, and Huerter is also a tough customer, but Lillard has ice water in his veins, and he’s going to win the Starry 3-Point Contest.
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