Oddsmaker sets Pacers' Paul George as Slam Dunk Contest favorite

Paul George is favored to win the 2014 Slam Dunk Contest. (Jeff Haynes/Getty Images) Paul George is the early favorite to win the 2014 Slam Dunk Contest.
Oddsmaker sets Pacers' Paul George as Slam Dunk Contest favorite
Oddsmaker sets Pacers' Paul George as Slam Dunk Contest favorite /

Paul George is favored to win the 2014 Slam Dunk Contest. (Jeff Haynes/Getty Images)

Paul George

Paul George is the early favorite to win the 2014 Slam Dunk Contest.

Oddsmaking service Bovada.LV lists the Pacers forward as a 6/5 favorite to prevail as the "Dunker of the Night" on Saturday in New Orleans. George is a logical favorite given his previous contest experience and his immense popularity advantage over the other competitors.

Raptors guard Terrence Ross, the defending champion, follows George at 7/2 odds. The odds for the other four competitors are, in order: Wizards guard John Wall (9/2), Kings guard Ben McLemore (5/1), Blazers guard Damian Lillard (5/1) and Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (17/2).

This year's Dunk Contest will feature an East vs. West head-to-head battle format that will crown the three players from the winning conference as "champions." A fan vote after the competition will determine the "Dunker of the Night."

The Point Forward also tabbed George -- who garnered more than 1.2 million votes to earn a starting spot on the Eastern Conference's All-Star team -- in the Dunk Contest preview last week.

Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who leads the league in three-pointers and three-point attempts this season, is the favorite to win the Three-Point Contest with 2/1 odds.

Curry is followed by, in order: Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (4/1), Magic guard Arron Afflalo (5/1), Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (11/2), Lillard (6/1), Spurs guard Marco Belinelli (6/1), Wizards guard Bradley Beal (15/2) and Nets guard Joe Johnson (10/1).

The NBA's two leading candidates for MVP are also favored to win the All-Star Game MVP award on Sunday. Thunder forward Kevin Durant enjoys the best odds at 3/1, while Heat forward LeBron James is second at 7/2.

RELATED: SI.com's 2014 All-Star Weekend Hub


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Ben Golliver
BEN GOLLIVER

Ben Golliver is a staff writer for SI.com and has covered the NBA for various outlets since 2007. The native Oregonian and Johns Hopkins University graduate currently resides in Los Angeles.