We’ve reached the halfway mark of the NBA season, with the trade deadline behind us and rosters mostly finalized, aside from a few last-minute free-agency moves. But before the serious business of the season kicks in, there’s the highly anticipated NBA All-Star weekend in Indiana. Let’s look at what’s in store and offer some betting tips. To start, there’s an exciting new event showcasing the best shooters in the history of basketball from both genders. **Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu** Seven months ago, during the WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest, [Sabrina Ionescu made history](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfPsyMkLAdQ&t=11s) by setting the all-time record for both the NBA and WNBA, scoring an impressive 37 points in the Final Round. With only two points missed, her performance was nothing short of breathtaking, prompting comparisons to Kevin Durant’s famous description of such moments as “spiritual experiences.” Following the viral spread of the clip, basketball fans speculated about the outcome if Ionescu were to compete against Steph Curry. The basketball gods seemed to heed our desires, as both players, in a display of sportsmanship, agreed to face off in the inaugural NBA Player vs. WNBA Player contest at the upcoming All-Star event. Ionescu is not opting for the traditional women’s 3-point line, which is 20 feet, six inches—she’s stepping back to the NBA line, at 23 feet, nine inches, matching Curry’s range. That choice speaks volumes about her mindset. Now, I understand the immediate assumption: “Curry’s got this in the bag. He can shoot from anywhere on a basketball court” And you might have a point. Curry’s been unstoppable lately, recently achieving a historic feat by being the first player in NBA history to sink 7+ 3-pointers in four consecutive games. Meanwhile, the WNBA is currently on hiatus. So, while Sabrina Ionescu undoubtedly dedicates herself to practise, there’s a lack of true in-game competition during this break. **Our Pick:**
**Slam Dunk Contest** **Contestants:** Mac McClung, Jaylen Brown, Jacob Toppin, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. **Jaylen Brown’s** participation alone makes this year’s Slam Dunk contest one of the most highly anticipated in recent memory, as it’s the first time an All-Star has competed since DeAndre Jordan in 2017. With the Celtics leading the NBA standings, Brown’s season has been nothing short of stellar, and now he aims to add “Slam Dunk Winner” to his accolades. While Brown is known for his ferocious dunks, the contest also values creativity. He’ll face stiff competition from Jacob Toppin, whose brother Obi Toppin claimed the title in 2022, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., the rookie sensation from the Miami Heat who has promised a surprise dunk. Despite the strong field, defending champion Mac McClung remains the heavy favourite among the online betting community. McClung impressed the crowd with his performance last year, effortlessly claiming victory despite being the shortest contestant at just 6’2”. Our pick is for Mac McClung to win it again and become the first player since Zach LaVine in 2025 & 2016 to retain the slam Dunk crown. **Our Pick:**
**Three-Point Contest** **Contestants:** Malik Beasley, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Lauri Markkanen, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns and Trae Young. This year’s 3-point contest is shaping up to be one of the toughest to predict in recent memory. The marquee names haven’t quite found their shooting rhythm this season, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to Saturday’s event. Reigning champion Damian Lillard, for example, has struggled this season, shooting just 34.4% from beyond the arc, placing him at 135th in the league. Similarly, Donovan Mitchell (36.1% and 119th ranking) and Trae Young (37% and 96th ranking) haven’t lived up to their usual standards. Surprisingly, the most accurate shooter in the contest this season is Malik Beasley of the Bucks, boasting an impressive 44.9%, which ranks seventh in the league. Another top contender is Karl-Anthony Towns, Beasley’s former teammate, who famously dubbed himself the “greatest shooting big man.” Towns currently sits at #12 in the league with a 43.6% accuracy. Having won the contest in 2022 and holding the record for the most points in the final round (for men), Towns is undoubtedly a threat to watch out for. Our top choice for this contest is Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers. Haliburton showcased his skills in last year’s contest, recording the second-highest all-time score in the first round, trailing only Steph Curry from 2021. With this year’s All-Star weekend hosted in Indiana, Haliburton will have the full support of the home crowd behind him. The point guard is currently enjoying the best season of his young career, having already led the Pacers to the finals of the In-Season Tournament. He leads the league in assists and boasts a respectable #46 ranking in 3-point accuracy, shooting at a solid 40%. His unique shot release gives him an advantage, as he’ll have more time to set up his shots compared to other contestants who may be rushing against the clock. **Our Pick:**
**All-Star Game MVP** This award is always a tough one to predict, especially considering that the teams are selected just hours before tip-off. Recent history suggests that explosive scoring performances often lead to victory in this category. Last year, Celtics’ Jayson Tatum stole the show with an astonishing 55-point performance, along with 10 rebounds and six assists, breaking Anthony Davis’ previous All-Star record high of 52 points. Tatum also made history by becoming the first player to score at least 50 points in the regular season, playoffs, and All-Star Game. While Tatum remains a favourite to contend for the award again this year, we have different picks in mind. Our top choices for the award are Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards and OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Both young talents have been in sensational form this season, leading their respective teams to the top two spots in the Western Conference standings. In their four meetings this season, each team has won twice, making it hard to separate them. Individually though, Gilgeous-Alexander has notably outperformed Edwards in these matchups, averaging 34 points compared to Edwards’ 23 points. If these two players end up on different teams, as we anticipate, we can expect some fierce competition between them. Given Gilgeous-Alexander’s superior scoring ability and status as a starter (which likely means more playing time), our bet of the day is for the Canadian to win it. **Our Pick:**
**Rising Star Challenge** **Contestants:** Team Pau, Team Jalen, Team Tamika, and Team Detlef. We think Team Pau will go the distance here. They have 3 standout rookies in **Victor Wembanyama** , Brandon Miller, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. which should give them an edge over others. However, Team Detlef shouldn’t be overlooked. Consisting solely of G-League players, they’ll be playing with a hunger to prove themselves and secure an NBA contract, making them a tough opponent. In fact, I really think they have a shot at it, but it’s just tough picking against a team led by Victor Wembanyama. **Our Pick:**
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