2023 NBA Skills Challenge Odds: Team Antetokounmpo Back for More
Team Jazz Market Favorites
Skills Challenge Format Remains the Same
The 2023 Kia Skills Challenge is back for another year of team events as teams of three each compete in a three-round format. Let’s take a look at the 2023 NBA Skills Challenge Odds and participants for the upcoming event.
This year’s challenge will again feature three rounds where teams will earn up to 100 points that count towards their final score.
Round 1 will be a timed team relay that involves making an outlet pass, dribbling through moving pylons, making a short range jumpshot & corner three jumpshot before finishing with a dunk at the other end of the floor. Each player will have a turn and the final time will be assessed to distribute points.
Round 2 is a team passing event where players participate together to accumulate the most number of points in 30 seconds by making passes into various targets that earn points depending on their difficulty level.
The final round is a team shooting event where all three players participate together to accumulate points based on the number of made baskets they make in the 60 second time limit. Points are earned depending on the location of the made shot.
Giannis & Co. Back for More
Team Antetokounmpo return for a second straight year as brothers Giannis, Thanasis and Alex take the floor looking to go one better than they managed last season.
Despite being the only team with experience in the format the brothers have opened up at +450 and sit as the ranked outsiders in the market.
They are also the only team to have a non-NBA player in their lineup, with Alex Antetokounmpo being a member of the Milwaukee Bucks G-League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.
Question marks remain around their ability to maximize their points tally in the shooting challenge and it remains the Achilles heel for this team in their potential to claim the crown.
That said, never doubt the competitive spirit that these men possess and the fact they’ve re-entered the competition shows their intent on taking this seriously and winning a trophy together.
Team Grade: B-
Rookies Look to Knock Off Hometown Heroes
Team Rookies will have a new-look lineup in 2023, with Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, Detroit’s Jaden Ivey and Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr taking the floor.
The trio of young studs boast arguably the highest upside of any team in this event, with all three guys excelling as passers, dribblers and scorers for their respective positions.
Team Rookies have been listed at +140 to take out the event and given the competitive nature of young guys in the league the talent and price make them the most appealing option for bettors.
I trust them to be amongst the winners of every round and the price on offer makes them the best team for me. Smith Jr should set up from beyond the arc in the shooting challenge, while Ivey and Banchero boast elite passing and dribbling skills to keep them competitive in the opening two challenges.
I think any plus-money on the team with the better overall talent makes too much sense not to have them graded as the best team in the competition.
Team Grade: A
Team Jazz Represent Home Crowd
Team Jazz will represent the Salt Lake City crowd and have been listed as -130 favorites for the event. Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler will take the floor as the chosen representatives for the host city.
Despite boasting arguably the best combination of youth and experience the short price is a deterrent in an event that features plenty of high variance outcomes.
That said, this team does still boast the best collection of NBA player stats as a collective and their familiarity should contribute to strong output. The price here is the only penalty, otherwise the team stands tall at the top.
Kessler’s output in the shooting component could be key to dictating the final points tally and if he can do his part while Clarkson catches fire from range then they have the pieces to do the job in the other events prior.
Team Grade: A-
That’s all for our 2023 NBA Skills Challenge Odds preview. Be sure to check back for more All Star weekend previews as we keep you ahead of the game.
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