NBA All-Star 2025 predictions and preview for dunk contest, 3-point shootout, and extra

The 2025 NBA All-Star Sport is right here with a weird new format, a no-name dunk contest, and Damian Lillard going for a three-point shootout three-peat. Earlier than the principle occasion will get underway on Sunday, All-Star Saturday options the Abilities Problem, 3-Level Contest, Slam Dunk Contest from the Chase Heart in San Francisco.

Sure, the NBA is bringing again Mac McClung once more in a final ditch effort to breathe some life into the dunk contest. McClung goes for a three-peat within the dunk contest after successful the competitors in 2023 and 2024. He has performed in a grand whole of 5 NBA video games since going undrafted in 2021, however is at the moment on a two-way cope with the Orlando Magic.

Lillard will attempt to match Larry Hen and Craig Hodges as the one males to ever win the NBA three-point contest 3 times. He should defeat 4 fellow All-Stars within the area, in addition to a capturing specialist like Buddy Hield, who gained this occasion in 2020.

NBA All-Star Saturday goes down on Feb. 15. Will probably be broadcast on TNT, with festivities starting at 8 p.m. ET. Let’s preview the sphere and make predictions on the winner for every occasion.

2025 NBA dunk contest predictions, preview, and time

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest would be the ultimate occasion of All-Star Saturday. The sector options two rookies, one G-League participant in McClung, and one former NCAA champion who developed right into a defensive-minded bench piece for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Matas Buzelis, F, Chicago Bulls: The Bulls rookie already is aware of what it’s prefer to be an All-Star Weekend hero after hitting a game-winner within the Rising Stars Sport final 12 months whereas taking part in for the G League Ignite. At 6’10, he’s somewhat taller than the standard dunk contest winner, however he possess a pure bounce off the ground that’s led to 31 dunks in his first 52 video games this season. Dunk contest legend Zach LaVine reportedly labored along with his former teammate on his routine, which may’t damage.

Andre Jackson Jr., G, Milwaukee Bucks: Jackson is a 6’6 guard who helped lead the UConn Huskies to the 2023 nationwide championship. The Bucks chosen him with the sixth choose within the second spherical of the draft later that 12 months, and he’s earned his method into Doc Rivers’ rotation to date in his second season. Jackson can explode off the ground, and looks like he has one of the best mixture energy and athleticism within the area. He’s all the time been unbelievable within the open flooring, and this occasion will showcase that capability.

Stephon Fort, G, San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs took Fort with the No. 4 general choose within the 2024 draft after he helped lead UConn to its second of back-to-back nationwide championships. Fort is a foundational piece for the Spurs subsequent to Victor Wembanyama, and he’ll get an opportunity to make a reputation for himself on this occasion. The 6’6 guard is a bodily participant across the basket whose sport is extra useful than flashy. This will probably be a enjoyable take a look at of his creativity.

Mac McClung, G, Osceola Magic: McClung is a 6’2 guard who parlayed his standing as a mixtape legend in highschool to a stable faculty profession between Texas Tech and Georgetown. He hasn’t been capable of play his method into the league, however the NBA retains inviting him to the dunk contest anyway, and he retains successful. Nate Robinson is the one man in historical past to win the dunk contest 3 times. Can McClung tie him?

Photograph by Michael Reaves/Getty Photos

2025 NBA dunk contest predictions

I’ll take Buzelis. He’s so lengthy and thin that his dunks will look cool even when he’s tall, and I believe he has the character to grow to be a fan favourite. If he’s attempting to recreate LaVine’s victorious dunk contest slams, we’re going to be in for a present.

Photograph by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Put up

2025 NBA three-point contest predictions, preview, and time

No, Stephen Curry isn’t competing within the three-point contest in his house area. One other Warrior is taking his place, and he simply so occurs to be one of the prolific three-point shooters ever, too. Let’s meet the sphere:

Damian Lillard, G, Milwaukee Bucks: Lilllard is an Oakland native returning to the Bay to see if he can three-peat on this contest. He’s having his finest season capturing the ball for the reason that 2020-21 season by making 38.2 p.c of his threes on greater than 9 makes an attempt per sport. Lillard is an All-Star reserve this 12 months and remains to be taking part in at a excessive degree offensively at age-34. He’s nursing a sore groin, however he’s nonetheless scheduled to compete within the occasion.

Jalen Brunson, G, New York Knicks: Brunson is an All-Star starter for the Knicks, and he continues to shoot the quilt off the ball now in his third season in New York. Brunson is hitting 39.7 p.c of his threes on 5.8 makes an attempt per sport whereas averaging about 26 factors per evening. I really feel like Brunson is at his finest as a shooter when he’s working himself right into a rhythm off the dribble, which may damage him on this occasion.

Darius Garland, G, Cleveland: Garland earned his second All-Star nod this 12 months taking part in for the East-best Cavs. The 25-year-old is among the many finest shooters within the league, boasting a 43.8 p.c three-point stroke on almost seven makes an attempt per sport. His fast set off ought to serve him nicely on this occasion.

Cade Cunningham, G, Detroit Pistons: The previous No. 1 general choose is among the most improved gamers within the league this 12 months, and a deserved first-time All-Star. The large lead guard has the Pistons again within the playoff image his mixture of scoring and playmaking. He’s not an incredible outdoors shooter, however Cunningham is hitting 35.3 p.c of his triples on 6.3 makes an attempt per sport.

Tyler Herro, G, Miami Warmth: Herro earned the primary All-Star nod of his profession this season, and is rapidly changing into the Warmth’s franchise participant now that Jimmy Butler has been traded. Herro is hitting 38.8 p.c of his threes on almost 10 makes an attempt per sport. He has to take so many troublesome threes in Miami that it will likely be enjoyable to see how nicely he can shoot off a rack with no defender.

Cameron Johnson, F, Brooklyn Nets: It’s a disgrace Johnson remains to be caught on the tanking Nets after the commerce deadline. The 6’9 ahead is having a profession season in Brooklyn, averaging 19.2 factors per sport on 41.7 p.c capturing from three. He’s the tallest participant within the area, and in addition has one of many purest pictures within the league.

Buddy Hield, G, Golden State Warriors: Solely 16 gamers in NBA historical past have made extra threes of their profession than Buddy Hield. The 32-year-old doesn’t do a lot else except for fireplace away from deep, however he can takeover a sport when he will get scorching. In his first 12 months with the Warriors, Hield is capturing 37 p.c from deep. He gained this occasion 5 years in the past.

Norman Powell, G, Los Angeles Clippers: Powell has had a career-year at age-31 and was legitimately an All-Star snub. Extra of a microwave scorer than a pure shooter, Powell has crammed the void left by Paul George to place up a ridiculous 24 factors per sport this 12 months on 43 p.c capturing from deep.

2025 NBA three-point contest predictions

I’ll take Darius Garland to win the three-point shootout. The Cavs are having a charmed 12 months, and Garland deserves the additional recognition after working his method again by way of a damaged jaw final 12 months.

What are NBA three-point contest guidelines?

Every competitor is allotted 70 seconds for the course. There’s a most of 27 balls obtainable in 5 places across the courtroom. “Cash balls” will probably be positioned on the finish of every rack and are value two factors. There may also be one rack full of cash balls. The three gamers with the very best rating from the opening spherical advances to the championship spherical. From the NBA: “Like final season’s three-point contest, there may also be two Mountain Dew Zone spots additional again on the wings with one ball value three factors.”

Learn extra on the three-point contest guidelines right here.

Photograph by Wealthy Storry/Getty Photos

2025 NBA Abilities Problem predictions, preview, and time

The Abilities Challenges places gamers by way of a capturing spherical, passing spherical, and relay spherical — after which makes them hit a halfcourt shot. There are 4 groups competing, and two members per staff. Let’s meet ‘em:

Workforce Cavs

• Darius Garland and Evan Mobley

Workforce Rookies

• Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr

Workforce Spurs

• Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul

Workforce Warriors

• Draymond Inexperienced and Moses Moody

2025 NBA expertise contest guidelines

Listed below are the principles for the occasion:

• Taking pictures spherical: There will probably be 5 completely different spots on the ground between 10-feet and 30-feet. Gamers will shoot from every location with their teammates rounding. Shot have completely different values primarily based on location. Gamers can’t shoot the identical shot twice. The winner of the primary spherical will get 100 factors towards their staff rating.

Passing spherical: Gamers may have 30 seconds to move into three shifting targets. The passes may have completely different values primarily based on how troublesome they’re. “Every staff should make no less than one move try at every goal, and particular person gamers can’t make consecutive passes on the identical goal.” The successful staff will earn 100 factors in direction of their rating.

Relay spherical: There will probably be a relay course all gamers from the staff should full. The course will probably be timed and quickest time wins. The course consists of outlet passing right into a shifting goal from the baseline, a dribbling problem by way of cones, a brief shot close to the basket, a three-pointer from the nook in opposition to a defender, and a full courtroom dash to attain. The successful staff will earn 200 factors to the rating.

Ultimate spherical — half-court shot: The 2 groups with the very best scores will advance to the championship spherical. Groups should make a halfcourt shot as rapidly as attainable. The primary staff will set the time and the second staff should beat it. The clock may have 90 seconds max.

2025 Abilities contest prediction

We’ll take Workforce Spurs to win with Wemby and CP3.