NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2025: Highlights, Odds and Predictions for Participants – Bleacher Report
Source: Bleacher Report
The basketball world is about to witness an aerial acrobatic show.
You might know it by its more common moniker, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. During its best years, it often serves as the biggest highlight of All-Star Saturday.
The 2025 iteration features four different high-flyers, but one of them, Mac McClung , a G Leaguer on a two-way pact with the Orlando Magic, has a chance to make history. The bouncy backcourt player is aiming for the event’s first ever three-peat. Nate Robinson is the only three-time winner, but there was a three-year gap between his first and second victories.
While this event tends to hype itself, we’ll still build up some buzz with highlights, odds and predictions.
Last summer’s 11th overall pick, Buzelis has seen his opportunities increase after the Bulls traded away Zach LaVine at the deadline. After tallying just four double-digit scoring efforts in the season’s first half, Buzelis has now reached double figures in each of his last eight outings.
Versatility might be his biggest NBA selling point, but make no mistake, he’s packing highlight reel-friendly hops.
One of Victor Wembanyama’s top running mates, Castle, last year’s No. 4 pick, has the kind of effortless bounce that should shine in this event. If his gravity-defying lift isn’t enough to wow the crowd, he’ll also drop jaws with the amount of ferocity in his finishes.
The second-oldest player in this event, Jackson has a wild card element about him. He does a little of everything on the hardwood, other than shooting with volume. And since Milwaukee is perpetually aiming to maximize spacing around Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jackson’s shooting limitations have cut into his chances.
He has, however, seen—and earned—an uptick in playing time this season, and you usually don’t need to see a ton of him to be blown away by his explosive athleticism.
McClung was a viral sensation even before reaching the Association, as his preps mixtapes routinely made the rounds among dunk enthusiasts. This environment is perfect for him, too, since he pairs his jaw-dropping athleticism with the kind of creativity needed to sway voters his direction.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook (h/t FoxSports)
This field of dunkers maybe won’t blow casual fans away with its name recognition, but these are some serious slam-dunk artists. It wouldn’t be a shock to see any of the four hammer their way home to a win.
Having said that, McClung knows all about this event and what it takes to win it. He’s been here and done that, and he has the hardware to prove it. He also apparently still has the drive to see if he can continue pushing the envelope.
“I love the contest, man,” McClung told reporters. “It’d be an action in fear not to do it again. So, I’ll do it—one last time.”
He’ll get challenged for his crown. (Despite what oddsmakers seem to think, Castle could put on a show.) In the end, though, this contest won’t end any differently than the last two. Well, other than McClung making history with the event’s first three-peat.
For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.
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