Steph Curry Favored to Win 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend 3-Point Contest

• Steph Curry is aiming for his second 3-Point Contest crown
• Can hometown hero Kemba Walker shoot to victory?
• We’ve found the best value bet out of this year’s deep field

Save for an Aaron Gordon or Zach LaVine slam dunk contest here or there, the 3-Point Contest has in many ways become the event at NBA All-Star Weekend.

It’s where ball truly don’t lie. Each contestant gets a minute to run around the key jacking triples, with the highest scores advancing each round.

You would think that the greatest shooter to ever live has this in the bag, but don’t be anointing Steph Curry champion just yet.

2019 NBA 3-Point Contest Odds

Steph Has Had His Struggles

Everyone knows Steph Curry’s range is when he sets a foot in the gym, but he’s struggled to find his range in this contest, winning just once in his previous five tries. It was a beauty, however, as he blew away the field in New York in 2015.

#StephGonnaSteph 😏

Throwin' it back to @StephenCurry30's 3-point contest victory in 2015 👀 pic.twitter.com/0MXTWi3BJF

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 16, 2018

This season, he’s been pretty dynamic, including a stretch where he set an NBA record for hitting at least eight threes in three straight games. He’s currently second in the league in makes, trailing James Harden by 36 – though he’s played nine less games and attempted 196 less shots, while shooting it a 45.2%, good for fifth overall.

Little Brother, Defending Champion Can Challenge

Enter Seth Curry, Steph’s younger bro, who’s carved himself a nice little role with the Trail Blazers as a microwave reserve, ready to heat up in an instant. While he’s only taken 136 threes on the season, Seth is hitting at a league-best 48.5% clip.

The real brothers of Father Splash Dell Curry!!! Dell should be very proud to see his sons do well in the NBA. Here is some clips of last night's game with Steph and Seth have a 3 point contest. #SossStraightTalkShow #AnchorFM #Spotify #Itunes #NBA #Warriors #Blazers #Brothers pic.twitter.com/n9gn5RfxG7

— James Dutton (@CoolAsTheMFFan) December 28, 2018

Meanwhile, in another lost season for the hapless Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker will try to accomplish a repeat in the event, one that hasn’t been done since Peja Stojakovic of the Kings did it at the turn of the century.

Devin Booker caught fire in the 2018 3-point contest! 👌🔥

Tune-in as this year's #MtnDew3PT competitors are revealed – 8pm ET on TNT! 📺 pic.twitter.com/K2UbhtQ1c1

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 5, 2019

Speaking of Kings, Buddy Hield has blossomed into a bona fide sniper in SacTo, fourth in the league in makes while shooting a blistering 45.5% from beyond the arc, third best in basketball.

Let’s Get Sentimental – And Value

If you’re looking for legit long shots, two feel-good storylines also offer the best value bets of the bunch. Dirk Nowitzki’s (+1500) final season has been really a chance to cede the reins of the franchise to Luka Doncic, but this could be his chance to go out in a blaze of money balls.

Dirk on his excitement at being in the 3-point contest at the #AllStarGame next month. #MFFL @NefariousSiren @fishsports @MattGalatzan @dalton_trigg pic.twitter.com/DmMMOJseEn

— Matthew Postins (@PostinsPostcard) January 28, 2019

On the +1000 tip is Kemba Walker, who might not know how to react with this many wide open looks: he’s trails just Harden and Steph for threes made with opponents within 2-4 feet of him (defined as “tight” defense). And the hometown fans should give him some extra juice.

What’s the Best Bet?

If this were a real game, I’d take Steph vs the field anytime. On this stage? The guy loves to have fun, provide entertainment and turn that competitive juice down.

So, if you’re ever going to beat your big brother, this is the stage for Seth Curry to do it. I like the idea of a stiff-bodied Dirk trotting out there and laying waste to the field as my long shot, and laid-back Buddy Hield to work his way to the final, and possibly win.

Our 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend Props Coverage:

• John Collins Favored to Win 2019 NBA Slam Dunk Contest
• Luka Doncic Favored to Win 2019 NBA Skills Challenge During All-Star Weekend