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NBA Slam-Dunk Contest: Going Green?

Green vs the Field

The NBA sees the Slam Dunk Contest as a chance to build on budding stars, such as it did with past winners like Blake Griffin and Kobe Bryant. As such, Jalen Green is tied as the favorite on the NBA betting odds for this year’s competition at +175. Can the electrifying Houston Rockets rookie follow through and make his  his star-making performance?

Will It Be The Jalen Green Show In The Dunk Contest?
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP

2022 NBA AT&T Slam Dunk Contest

Jalen Green has the prototypical frame to dominate in contests like this. At 6-4 with a wingspan of just over 6½ feet, Green also jumps high enough where his head goes above the rim. Another former winner and namesake had a similar build: Gerald Green. The 2007 champion produced some of the most difficult dunks.

Jalen Green’s athleticism and build will allow him to produce dunks that his fellow competitors can’t. However, the degree of difficulty is just one aspect of winning these contests. Green will have to work in some fancy moves, maybe some props, and will have to get the crowd excited. He naturally has a flair for creativity so bet online that Green has some tricks ready.

His biggest rival will be last year’s runner-up, Obi Toppin.

Obi Toppin (+175)

With the same line as Green, the BetUS online sportsbook predicts this dunk contest will come down between Obi Toppin of the New York Knicks and the Rockets’ swingman. Toppin, unlike Green, has a sturdy “big man” frame. He has the edge when it comes to producing rim-rattling dunks that could both scare and excite the judges.

However, Toppin isn’t just a power dunker. He showed in last year’s contest that he can pull off dunks that swingmen like Zach LaVine would usually perform. He also has the benefit of experience. Dwight Howard, Derrick Jones Jr., and Michael Jordan all won the contest on their second try

ROT 2022 NBA AT&T SLAM DUNK CONTEST WINNER Moneyline
1001 Jalen Green +175
1002 Obi Toppin +175
1003 Cole Anthony +325
1004 Juan Toscano-Anderson +450

2022 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest Info

  • Date: Saturday
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH
  • Stream: TNT

Cole Anthony (+325)

It shouldn’t be too surprising if Cole Anthony of the Orlando Magic acquits himself well in this contest as he is having a much-improved sophomore campaign. But can he go all the way? Glenn Robinson III won in 2017 and, most notably, Nate Robinson in 2006 as underdogs. The judging has been different lately and Anthony can’t rely on cool gimmicks or props.

Of all the contestants, Anthony has been the least prolific as a dunker. His 12 dunks on the season account for just 2.9 percent of his field-goal attempts. But with an underdog mentality, Anthony may just find a way.

Juan Toscano-Anderson (+450)

As far as dark horses go, Juan Toscano-Anderson may be worth a bet. The Golden State Warrior has not been as popular as his other three peers but he is an underground legend. Toscano-Anderson was doing slam dunk mixtapes about a decade ago and he has several popular videos on YouTube.

He may not be as athletic as Green or Toppin or as good of a scorer as Anthony, but we won’t doubt this man’s ability to entertain. At his current price, we like him to emerge as the victor after a thrilling showdown with Green in the final.

Pick: Juan Toscano-Anderson +450

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