Phoenix Suns: Sportsbooks are giving out free money for 3-point contest

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, the winner of the 2018 NBA 3-point contest, participates again tonight, and sportsbooks may as well hand out everyone’s cash now.

In a rare and nearly unprecedented move, casinos and sportsbooks will be giving out free money during the 2020 MTN DEW 3-Point Contest this evening. All you have to do to take part in this cash giveaway is bet Phoenix Suns first-time All-Star, Devin Booker, to win it.

While he may be a first-time All-Star, he is a 4-time 3-point contest participant, winning the trophy in 2018 and coming in second place his rookie year back in 2016.

As of a few days ago, Booker didn’t have plans to even be in Chicago this weekend. He scheduled some exotic, undisclosed destination retreat where he would rest and likely stew about becoming the biggest NBA All-Star snub in history.

But then the basketball gods intervened (or did they?), and Booker now finds himself playing in both the All-Star game and going after this second 3-point contest title.

And for some reason, oddsmakers don’t see that Booker is going to come out and absolutely dominate and set his odds of winning at +700.

Like I said, free money.

Here is a list of everyone’s opening odds:

"Trae Young: +350Joe Harris: +400Davis Bertans: +450Duncan Robinson: +550Buddy Hield: +550Devin Booker: +700Zach LaVine: +900Devonte’ Graham: +1000"

Out of eight players, you’re telling me the guy who won it just two years go is the sixth favorite? Two from the bottom?

Joe Harris is the only other player on that list who has won it before and the favorite, Trae Young, will struggle because there is no dribbling involved and most of the shots will come from right at the 3-point line, not from 30+ feet.

I say most because Eastern Kentucky’s favorite battery acid in a bottle, Mountain Dew (er, I mean MTN DEW) is adding a twist this year. I’ll let the NBA explain:

"The 2020 MTN DEW 3-Point Contest features a new look with the addition of two shots in the “MTN DEW Zone” – two locations positioned equidistant between the traditional racks at the top of the 3-point arc and the adjacent “wing” rack.  Each of the two ball pedestals in the MTN DEW Zone is located 6 feet behind the 3-point line and holds one special green ball, the “3-Ball.”  Shots made with the green ball are worth three points."

Here is a diagram is that confused you as it did me. My prediction is these new shots will be the only ones Trae Young makes. He’s fool’s gold. This kind of contest favors experience and efficiency. (read: Devin Booker)

Word has out about the free money tonight; Booker has been bet all the way down to +450. So instead of $700 on a $100 bet, you only get $450. The betting public seems to be giving Booker the respect he deserves after all.

The odds for the All-Star game itself is Team LeBron -6. I have no idea who these cretins are who bet on an All-Star game, but the gambling world did them a favor by not allowing them to also bet on the dunk contest.

As always, gamble responsibly, kids.