NBA HORSE Challenge odds, best bets: Value on favorites Trae, CP3
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The NBA isn't back yet, but it's finally providing something you can bet on.
While the league ponders its next steps for the ongoing season, the NBA has partnered with the WNBA for a two-day HORSE Challenge starting April 12. It will feature eight current and former stars from the two leagues. Trae Young (+300) and Chris Paul (+300) are the headliners, but there's some value further down the board, too.
Here are the odds for the competition with our three favorite bets in the field:
| PLAYER | GROUP | ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| Trae Young | 1 | +300 |
| Chris Paul | 2 | +300 |
| Zach LaVine | 2 | +350 |
| Mike Conley | 1 | +450 |
| Paul Pierce | 2 | +750 |
| Chauncey Billups | 1 | +800 |
| Allie Quigley | 2 | +1000 |
| Tamika Catchings | 1 | +1200 |
Trae Young (+300)
Frankly, I'm surprised we're getting such good odds on Young. HORSE is a shooting competition at its core - especially this contest which prohibits dunking - and Young is arguably the best shooter in the NBA, especially on difficult shots. I mean, who's matching him when he pulls up from 35 feet? Rarely is it wise to bet the favorite in a skills competition, but Young is too much of a front-runner not to.
Chris Paul (+300)
At +300, Young is probably the better bet, but Paul has the easier road. Allie Quigley has improved her outside shot in recent years but will still have a tough time matching Paul's creative shot-making ability at the elbows. As for the other Group 2 contestants, please. Book CP3 for the finals, which means he's an easy value here.
Tamika Catchings (+1200)
These odds feel a bit disrespectful for one of the best WNBA players of all time. Yes, she's retired, but Catchings was still hitting nearly three triples per game when she left, which came after three straight All-Star trips. She faces a vulnerable Mike Conley in Round 1, and if she can catch Young napping in Round 2, you'll be glad you backed the underdog.
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.