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Are you looking to wager on professional athletes dribbling a basketball through an obstacle course, passing said ball through an upright hoop, driving the full length of the court for an uncontested layup, then going back the other way for a 3-point attempt? Perfect. The Skills Challenge is right up your alley.
Here's how the 2020 field stacks up:
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spencer Dinwiddie | 3-1 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 4-1 |
| Jayson Tatum | 5-1 |
| Pascal Siakam | 5-1 |
| Khris Middleton | 6-1 |
| Patrick Beverley | 6-1 |
| Domantas Sabonis | 8-1 |
| Bam Adebayo | 12-1 |
This will be the fifth year the challenge pits guards against big men. Only three forwards or centers have taken home the award since the event's inception in 2003, though all three of those wins came in the last four years.
Are we really that surprised to see Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie open as the chalk? He took home the award in 2018 after mowing through Buddy Hield of the Sacramento Kings, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets, and the Chicago Bulls' Lauri Markkanen. Also, how the hell could you make anyone else the favorite knowing how seriously Dinwiddie takes the Skills Challenge? He's out for blood.
The league found a formidable replacement for injured Detroit Pistons guard Derrick Rose, tabbing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the stopgap. Oklahoma City's rising star has been a bright spot for a sneaky-good Thunder squad in his second NBA season, averaging 19.5 points and 3.1 assists per game.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics will garner some action from bettors, and it's certainly warranted. He's the reigning champ and one of the more athletic big men in the league.
Pascal Siakam has been one of the more popular bets since open, seeing his price cut from 10-1 to 5-1. Playing all over the floor for the Toronto Raptors, he should be able to showcase some underrated ball-handling skills this weekend.
Khris Middleton is arguably the biggest wild card. After flunking out in two previous Three-Point Contests, perhaps the versatile Milwaukee Bucks star will be better equipped for this event.
Patrick Beverley's no stranger to the Skills Challenge. The LA Clippers guard won the event in 2015.
Like Siakam, Domantas Sabonis is one of the better ball-handling big men in the league. The three-point attempt could spell his downfall, though; the Indiana Pacers cog is shooting just 22.4% from deep this season.
Not even mincing words here: If Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo wins the Skills Challenge, I will streak across the street in broad daylight.
Best bet - Gilgeous-Alexander (4-1)
How ironic will it be if the replacement wins the award?
Look, let's be honest here. The Skills Challenge is a crapshoot. You're banking on a player performing well in bursts on an obstacle course that's extremely volatile. Still, when one dissects the Skills Challenge and what it takes to win it, I think the event is tailored to a guard like Gilgeous-Alexander. He's got some burners and doesn't need a prayer from beyond the arc. Of course, when Adebayo hits a half-court shot to beat SGA in the finals a la Tatum a year ago, I'll take the next decade off.
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.
