2024 Slam Dunk contest picks, field, odds, start time: Proven expert ...

Indianapolis is set to host NBA All-Star Weekend for the first time since 1985, and one of the most exciting events of the weekend is the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk contest on Saturday night. It is the final event of the day, following the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Stephen (Curry) vs. Sabrina (Ionescu) 3-Point Challenge. Defending slam dunk champion Mac McClung headlines the four-player field, joined by Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jaylen Brown and Jacob Toppin. McClung is the -260 favorite (risk $220 to win $100) in the 2024 Slam Dunk Contest odds, while Brown has the second-shortest odds at +470.

McClung is not actively on an NBA roster, giving him some added motivation to win another dunk contest crown. Should you back him at short odds with your 2024 Slam Dunk Contest bets? Before making any 2024 Slam Dunk Contest picks or All-Star weekend predictions, you need to see the picks and best bets from SportsLine's NBA expert Alex Selesnick.

Selesnick, also known as PropStarz, has gone 163-99 on his last 262 NBA prop picks on SportsLine. PropStarz specializes in NFL and NBA prop betting, where he implements a combination of research, statistical analysis and mathematical modeling. Anybody following him is way up.

Now he has analyzed the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk contest from all angles and locked in his picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see Selesnick's NBA Slam Dunk contest best bets.

Top NBA Slam Dunk contest picks, predictions

One surprise: Selesnick is fading Brown, who is the only All-Star in the four-man field. Brown will be the first former Cal player to participate in the contest and the first All-Star since DeAndre Jordan in 2017. He has reportedly turned down multiple invites to be part of the Slam Dunk contest field in previous year, but the 27-year-old told reporters that he thinks he is in his "athletic prime."

Brown will be dealing with more pressure than the other contestants in the field due to his status in the NBA community. He could also be less motivated to win than some of the other players who are trying to make a name for themselves, and his preparation might be limited as well. Selesnick does not think Brown has shown enough creativity to be considered for a bet on Saturday night. You can see who to back here.

How to make 2024 Slam Dunk contest picks 

Selesnick's Slam Dunk Contest winner is a player who has shown a tremendous amount of creativity. He is including this player in his All-Star weekend bets, and so should you. You can find out who it is, and see the rest of Selesnick's NBA Slam Dunk contest best bets and analysis at SportsLine.

So who wins the 2024 Slam Dunk contest, and which players should you fade? Visit SportsLine now to see Selesnick's picks for the Slam Dunk contest 2024, all from the expert who is 163-99 in his last 262 NBA prop picks, and find out.

NBA Slam Dunk Contest odds, top contenders

See full NBA Slam Dunk contest picks here.

Mac McClung (-260)Jaylen Brown (+470)Jacob Toppin (+800)Jaime Jaquez Jr. (+800)