The Slam Dunk contest used to be one of the top events on the NBA calendar, though the event has lost much of its luster over the past couple decades as many stars have opted out of participating. That trend changes, at least to an extent, this year as Jaylen Brown, a three-time NBA All-Star, is in the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk contest field. Brown joins Jacob Toppin, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and defending champion Mac McClung. The NBA All-Star Saturday events begin at 8 p.m. ET, and the dunk contest is the finale of the evening.
McClung is the clear-cut favorite in the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk contest odds at -240 (risk $240 to win $100). Brown is next on the odds board at +470, while Toppin (+700) and Jaquez Jr. (+800) are the longshots. Before making any 2024 Slam Dunk contest picks or All-Star weekend predictions, you need to see the picks and best bets from SportsLine's NBA expert Matt Severance.
Severance is a well-connected writer and high-volume handicapper who has worked in the industry since 2005. After joining SportsLine, Matt quickly established himself as a top expert in multiple sports. Over the past two NBA seasons, Matt has returned $3,215 and he is 108-57 in his last 165 NBA picks, returning more than $1,900 to $100 bettors. Anyone who has followed his picks is way up.
Now he has analyzed the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk contest from all angles and locked in his picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see Severance's NBA Slam Dunk contest best bets.
Top NBA Slam Dunk contest picks, predictions
One shocker: Severance is fading McClung despite his dominant performance last year and clear status as the favorite this year. He notes that only four players have repeated as champion in this event, and the last one was Zach LaVine back in 2016.
The other participants bring far more enticing odds, and McClung will also have the challenge of having to be extra creative after he used some of his top dunk ideas last year.
Brown is the most complete basketball player of the group. Toppin has family ties to success after his brother, Obi Toppin, won in 2022. Jacquez has been a breakout rookie for the Heat and he has experience in dunk contests at lower levels. All the longshots have some intriguing angles, and Severance is opting to go that route as opposed to laying paying a premium on McClung this year. You can see who to back here.
How to make 2024 Slam Dunk contest picks
Severance's Slam Dunk contest winner is a player who is looking to replicate a legendary dunk. He is including this player in his All-Star weekend bets, and so should you. You can find out who it is, and see the rest of Severance's NBA Slam Dunk contest best bets at SportsLine.
So who wins the 2024 Slam Dunk contest, and which longshot could shock the field? Visit SportsLine now to see Severance's picks for the Slam Dunk contest 2024, all from the expert who is up more than $3,200 on his NBA picks over the past two seasons, and find out.
NBA Slam Dunk Contest odds, top contenders
See full NBA All-Star Weekend picks here.
Mac McClung (-240)
Jaylen Brown (+470)
Jacob Toppin (+700)
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (+800)
