NBA All-Star Weekend Schedule 2012: Bold Predictions for Three-Point Contest

The NBA Three-Point Contest is arguably the best event of All-Star weekend, especially since the dunk contest seems to be a dud this year.  Adding a superstar like Kevin Durant to the sharp-shooting contest may have helped a bit, as well.

This is what is upcoming on All-Star Saturday night in Orlando, starting at 8 p.m. ET on TNT:

Shooting Stars: NBA, WNBA and retired players get together for a shooting contest. 

Skills Challenge: The best ball-handlers race through an obstacle course. 

Three-Point Contest: James Jones defends his title against Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Mario  Chalmers and Anthony Morrow. 

Slam Dunk Contest: Jeremy Evans, Chase Budinger, Paul George and Derrick Williams compete. 

Anyone can win the three-point contest this year, even Kevin Love—the lone big man entered in the event.  Jones' long-range game was built for a contest like this, so expect him to contend far into this one this year.

Anthony Morrow Will Surprise

Morrow is one of the more underrated shooters in the NBA, especially from three-point range, as he is shooting 40 percent from long-range and has finished in the top 10 in three-point percentage in all three seasons he has played in the league.

His skills will be put on display, as he will get his first chance to show what he has on a national stage.

Morrow is averaging 13 points per game this season.

Kevin Love Will Not Belong

Love has game from three-point range, but it is hard to imagine his slow release playing well into the contest on Saturday night.  

Love is shooting 34 percent from long-range this season.

He deserves to be involved in a contest featuring the best of the best three-point shooters, but it will not play out that way tonight against the likes of Jones and Durant, who are the front-runners to take home the trophy.

James Jones Will Contend Far Into Contest

As previously stated, Jones' game fits perfect for the three-point contest.  He has a quick release and smooth finish to his jump shot, which makes for a deathly game in the three-point contest.

After winning last year, Jones should feel no pressure to go out there and repeat, given what he did in 2011.  If there is one player we can pencil into the finals, it is Jones.

Anthony Morrow Will Win the Three-Point Contest

Morrow will surprise all on Saturday night when he upsets the likes of Jones and Durant in the three-point contest.

He has waited a long time for an opportunity to show off his skills on this big of a stage, and he will be prepared.  Morrow is consistently one of the best shooters from long-range every season he has been in the league, and his game will translate nicely into the three-point contest tonight.

A quick release and fluid shooting motion are key in a contest like this, and Morrow has both of those assets down.