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.
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.
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