Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Seeking a Splash: Klay goes for All-Star 3s upset of Curry

Curry

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry lobbies for possession in front of San Antonio Spurs’ Patty Mills (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

TORONTO — Klay Thompson believes, even if he knows many don't.

He knows how good Stephen Curry is, so he couldn't have been terribly surprised when he was told during NBA All-Star player interviews that "everyone" thinks his Golden State Warriors teammate is going to win the 3-point contest Saturday night.

"Everybody thinks that? Oh, wow," Thompson said. "There's got to be a few who think Klay has a chance. I mean, I don't mean to refer to myself in the third person, but there's a few out there, I think. I'm one of them. Hopefully my brothers, and probably the rest of the world thinks Steph. That's fine. I'll play the underdog for a night."

A heavy underdog, at least according to one betting site. Curry was made a 10 to 11 favorite Friday by Bovada, meaning an $11 wager would only pay $10. Kobe Bryant also picked Curry when asked.

The 3-point contest takes place between the Skills Challenge and slam dunk contest, but it may be the main event with the Splash Brothers from the NBA champions leading the field.

Thompson made it to the final round last year along with Kyrie Irving, but they were blown away when Curry made 13 straight shots and set a record with 27 points. Bovada listed Thompson as the second choice at 9 to 2, and he's looking forward to another chance at the NBA's record holder for 3-pointers in a season.

"There's only a few times me and him get to compete against each other. We always go against each other in practice, so it's cool to do it on a real stage," Thompson said.

"It's going to be a fun round, because you're going to need two perfect rounds to beat Steph."

Other things to watch during All-Star Saturday:

ZACH'S BACK: The slam dunk contest has largely become a one-and-done event, but Minnesota's Zach LaVine is back for a chance to repeat after his high-flying performance last year in Brooklyn. Nobody has won two in a row since Nate Robinson in 2009-10.

He defends against Denver's Will Barton, Orlando's Aaron Gordon and Detroit All-Star Andre Drummond.

IF NOT A SPLASH BROTHER: The Warriors' backcourt partners face a field that includes two more All-Stars in Houston's James Harden and Toronto's James Harden, plus the Clippers' J.J. Redick, Milwaukee's Khris Middleton, Phoenix rookie Devin Booker and Portland's CJ McCollum.

DOUBLE DUTY: Not long after McCollum joked about his disappointment in not being picked for the 3-point contest, he was added to the field when Miami's Chris Bosh pulled out with an injury. That makes the Portland guard a busy man Saturday, as he is already entered in the field of the Skills Challenge.

BIG CHALLENGE: A big man is guaranteed to reach the final of the Skills Challenge, the obstacle-course event that combines dribbling, passing and shooting. All-Stars Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins square off in the first round and the winner would meet All-Star Draymond Green or No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns, who believes he can get by the bigs and then knock off one of the little guys who usually make up the event's entire field.

"I think I can win," Towns said. "I think I honestly can win the Skills Challenge. I think I have a great opportunity."

D-LEAGUE'S DAY: The best from the NBA Development League get the stage in the afternoon, as the D-League has its own All-Star Game, 3-point and slam dunk contests.

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