NBA Skills Challenge prediction and odds

The Kia Skills Challenge is the first event of NBA All-Star Saturday night, a night that is often better than the actual all-star game the next day. Last year was the first season of the three-team, three-round format for the NBA Skills challenge and it was won by the hosts, Team Cavs; Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.

The three rounds are the relay, the passing competition and the shooting competition. 100 “Challenge Points” are awarded to the winning team of the first two rounds and 200 “Challenge Points” are awarded to the team that wins the shooting competition.

This year’s all-star weekend is in Salt Lake City, so Team Jazz, made up of Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton are up against the Antetokounmpo’s and the “Rooks.”

NBA Skills Challenge odds

• Team Jazz -120
• Team Rookies +140
• Team Antetokounmpo +475

Skills Challenge prediction and pick

Last year we saw Team Cavs take it home and there is certainly some extra motivation for the home team to win a challenge like this for their fans. However, the best player on the Jazz and their only all-star, Lauri Markkanen isn’t on Team Jazz for this challenge, he is participating in the next event, the three-point contest. I’m already not interested in minus odds for an event like this, so without Markkanen, I’m ruling out Team Jazz.

Team Antetokounmpo is surrounded by Giannis and his two brothers Thanasis and Alex. They struggled last season, especially with the shooting portion, and I think their odds are fair as the longshot on the board.

Instead I’ll take Team Rookies with Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, and Jabari Smith Jr. That’s a young and athletic group that is very skilled and has enough shooting to win the final round worth 200 Challenge Points.

Pick: Team Rookies +120

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

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