Trent Reinsmith
When & Where: Saturday, February 19 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 8 p.m. ET
How to Watch: TNT
The NBA All-Star Weekend is fast approaching and with that, the NBA world turns its eyes to one of the favorite events of that weekend, an event that has taken place every year since Larry Nance of the Phoenix Suns won it for the first and only time of his career in 1984, the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest.
Twenty-five players have won the slam dunk contest at the NBA All-Star game. Five players — Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, Harold Miner, Jason Richardson and Zach LaVine — have claimed the title twice. Nate Robinson is the only player who has won the slam dunk contest three times.
Last season, Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers won the contest, which did not have fans in attendance because of COVID-19 concerns. We will see a first-time winner in 2022.
The 2022 NBA All-Star Game takes place on Sunday, February 20 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk contest takes place on Saturday, February 19 at 8. p.m. ET.
Before we look at the players in the running for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game Slam Dunk contest, be sure to check out our NBA All-Star betting guide and the best sites for NBA betting in 2022.
NBA All-Star Game Slam Dunk Contest odds
| To Win 2022 Slam Dunk Contest |  |  |  |
| Jalen Green | +150 | +175 | +150 |
| Obi Toppin | +175 | +175 | +175 |
| Cole Anthony | +375 | +325 | +375 |
| Juan Toscano-Anderson | +450 | +450 | +450 |
Scoring criteria:
The Slam Dunk contest is a two-round competition that is overseen by five judges who score each dunk on a scale of six to 10. Each player gets two dunks in Round 1. The two players with the highest scores move on to a final round where they also get two dunks. The player with the highest combined score in head-to-head action wins.
Juan Toscano-Anderson
Juan Toscano-Anderson is in his second full year in the NBA. The 6-foot-6-inch small forward plays for the Golden State Warriors. He joins Chris Andersen, Derrick Jones Jr. and Jamario Moon in the group of undrafted players to compete in the Slam Dunk contest since 2000.
Warriors Forward Juan Toscano-Anderson to Participate in 2022 AT&T Slam Dunk https://t.co/G8EshKZ6mS https://t.co/FAUZJ7YkpF pic.twitter.com/GvHJlXAYHA
— #DubNation (@DubNation_net) February 9, 2022
If Anderson wins the Slam Dunk contest, he will be the first Warriors player to do so since Jason Richardson won back-to-ack in 2002 and 2003.
Cole Anthony
Cole Anthony of the Orlando Magic is in his second year in the NBA. The 6-foot-3-inch point guard is also part of the Rising Stars game during NBA All-Star weekend. Anthony leads the Magic in scoring with 17.6 points per game and assists with 5.9 per game. Anthony is the shortest of the four players in the slam dunk competition, but that could end up being in his favor, as an impressive vertical leap could lend itself to scoring more points with the judges in the competition.
Based on what we know about @The_ColeAnthony, the @OrlandoMagic guard is certain to bring creativity, charisma and passion to the @NBA dunk contest https://t.co/rtdPmm5SYt
— Josh Cohen (@Josh_Cohen_NBA) February 9, 2022
Obi Toppin
Obi Toppin was the runner-up last to Anfernee Simons in last year’s Slam Dunk contest. Having taken part in the contest in his rookie season might give the 6-foot-9-inch power forward an advantage over his opponents. Toppin might also have an advantage because of his family. His father, Obadiah “Dunkers Delight” Toppin, participated in the AND1 streetball tour. Toppin is the only player representing the New York Knicks on All-Star Weekend.
Obi Toppin just leapt over two people in the dunk contest pic.twitter.com/JIaZu2rEn4
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) March 8, 2021
Jalen Green
Jalen Green could make history if he wins the 2022 Slam Dunk contest. No Houston Rockets player has won the competition before. Green, a six-foot-four-inch shooting guard, looks to break that skid in Ohio. Green, who is also playing in the Rising Stars game, is second on the Houston roster in scoring with 14.4 points per game.
Jalen Green practicing for the dunk contest 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wAw8Q6cWoc
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 11, 2022
Green has made several highlight reel dunks during the 2021-22 NBA season and that’s why he is the favorite to win the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk contest.
Our pick
I think Toppin’s experience pays off. Having competed in the contest last year and came in second, he knows what he needs to do to capture the attention of the judges. However, don’t count Green out.
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