NBA All-Star weekend 2018 is officially here; we preview the 3-point contest and pick a winner
This Saturday the NBA kicks off one of it most beloved traditions, the 3-point contest. The contest wont feature Stephen Curry, who is arguably the NBA’s most respected 3-point shooter, but it will feature the last two players to win the event.
Last year’s winner, Eric Gordon, is in the contest as well as Klay Thompson who won the event back in the 2015-16 season. Also, competing in the shootout is Devin Booker, Paul George, Wayne Ellington, Kyle Lowry, Bradley Beal, and Tobias Harris.
The betting favorites are Thompson, followed by Gordon then Booker.
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Here is their 3-point shooting percentages for this season:
- Thompson – 45.5%
- George – 43.2%
- Harris – 40.2%
- Lowry – 38.9%
- Ellington – 38.7%
- Booker – 38.3%
- Beal – 37.0%
- Gordon – 33.4%
The favorite: Klay Thompson
Not only does Thompson enter the contest with the best shooting percentage from 3-point range, but he’s also having an outstanding season shooting the ball overall. Thompson is shooting a career-best 45.5 percent from 3 and 49.4 percent from the field.
It’s going to be tough for anyone to upset Thompson in this shootout, but not entirely impossible. Especially with this group of shooters.
The dark horse: Tobias Harris
Much like Thompson, Harris is too having a career year shooting from 3-point range. His previous best was 36.4 percent. His 40.2 percent from 3 ranks third best among the eight participants. After having an excellent season with Pistons, Harris was traded to the Clippers in the trade that involved Blake Griffin.
In his six games with Clippers, Harris has shot 33.3 percent from 3-point range.
Prediction: Klay Thompson over Paul George
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In the end, it’s tough to bet against Klay Thompson and arguably the best 3-point shooter in the NBA. Paul George will give Klay a run for the title, but it the end he will fall short. Still, this competition should be the best of all of Saturday night’s festivities.