NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2015: Participants, Odds and Predictions

The NBA All-Star Game is always one of the most exciting matchups of the entire year, but the Saturday before the festivities features several skills competitions, including the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

With four of the brightest young players in the NBA like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zach LaVine, Victor Oladipo and Mason Plumlee competing for the slam dunk title, basketball fans will be treated to an intense battle on Valentine’s Days.

Here are all the participants, the current odds, predicted finishing order and the player to watch in the 2015 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Contestant	Team	Odds	Finishing Order
Zach LaVine	Minnesota Timberwolves	10-11	Third
Giannis Antetokounmpo	Milwaukee Bucks	9-4	Fourth
Victor Oladipo	Orlando Magic	3-1	First
Mason Plumlee	Brooklyn Nets	7-1	Second

*Slam Dunk Contest odds via Odds Shark.

Player to Watch: Victor Oladipo, SG, Orlando Magic

Despite not being among the top 50 in-game dunkers during the first half of the NBA this season, per CBSSports.com, there are few basketball fans who will doubt Orlando Magic shooting guard Victor Oladipo’s ability to throw down stunning jams.

Oladipo is a second-year player who has continued to emerge as one of the brightest young stars in the NBA. After amassing an average of 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists through the first 44 games of the season, he is justifying his No. 2 overall selection.

While the former Indiana guard has continued to work on the consistency of his shot, Oladipo’s ability and willingness to drive the lane and finish around the rim makes him dangerous. At 6’4” and 210 pounds, he is not afraid to make contact and draw the foul.

In the 2015 Slam Dunk Contest, there will be no one playing defense. Oladipo should be able to handle the pressure and put together several show-stealing dunk attempts in order to earn himself the victory.

Oladipo took to Twitter to comment on the Slam Dunk Contest:

Muscle Milk also shared its excitement for Oladipo’s involvement in the skills competition:

There is no discounting the raw physical abilities of Antetokounmpo, LaVine and Plumlee and the success each has found this season, but Oladipo has shown with his dunks in 2015 that he has the personality and flare needed to be victorious.

While the Orlando star doesn’t have the quantity of dunks that players like Plumlee and Antetokounmpo have racked up this year, the quality of his dunks are far superior and feel special when he pulls them out of his back pocket.

Oladipo’s lack of experience could be a potential issue, but with this year’s event featuring all first or second-year players, the playing field has been leveled. Add in the traditional format of just two rounds, and the stage has been set for Oladipo to steal the show.

Predicted Finish: 2015 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest Winner

*Stats via NBA.com.