Knicks' Jericho Sims: A Slam Dunk Betting Favorite?

Odds headed into Salt Lake City look kindly upon the New York Knicks' representative in the Slam Dunk Contest.

According to the latest odds, Sims is, as the kids say, him ... at least when it comes to the upcoming Slam Dunk Contest. 

New Jersey sportsbooks have labeled the New York Knicks big man the favorite for Saturday's AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, the final event of the NBA's All-Star preamble (8 p.m. ET, TNT). Sims' average odds of +170, compiled by Oddschecker, give him a 37 percent chance of victory among the dunking quartet, which also includes Houston's Kenyon Martin Jr. (+210), Philadelphia G League rep Mac McClung (+250), and Trey Murphy III of New Orleans (+320).

The second-year Knicks, well known for his high-flying abilities, was a late addition to the annual All-Star exhibition, replacing Portland's Shadedon Sharpe. He has been exposed to a wider audience thanks to his recent insertion into the Knicks' starting five induced by Mitchell Robinson's thumb injury. In 47 games (16 starts), he's averaging 3.7 points and 4.9 rebounds.

New York (33-27) has been the most successful team in the Dunk Contest, having hosted the winner on a record five occasions. That tally includes Nate Robinson twice and last year's champion Obi Toppin, who bested Juan Toscano-Anderson, Jalen Green, and Cole Anthony in Cleveland. No team has repeated at the Dunk Contest with a different pair of consecutive winners since 1985-86 when Dominique Wilkins (one of Saturday's judges) and Spud Webb did so for the Atlanta Hawks.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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