Breaking down NBA H-O-R-S-E picks pool on DraftKings Sportsbook

The NBA and ESPN are teaming up to give us a H-O-R-S-E competition between players, WNBA stars (current and former) and former players. The contest will be held on Sunday from 7-9 PM ET on ESPN. The semifinals and championship rounds will take place on April 16 at 9 PM ET on ESPN and streaming on the ESPN app. Let’s take a quick look at the field and matchups.

• Trae Young vs. Chauncey Billups
• Tamika Catchings vs. Mike Conley
• Zach LaVine vs. Paul Pierce
• Chris Paul vs. Allie Quigley

From the NBA, we’ve got Trae Young, Zach LaVine, Chris Paul and Mike Conley. All four are All-Star caliber players and we just save Young and LaVine take it to the sticks in the NBA 2K Players Tournament.

The two former NBA players are also ESPN analysts: Pierce and Billups. Both Hall of Famers, both former champions. Joining them are two WNBA legends in Catchings, who is retired after 15 seasons with the Indiana Fever. The former MVP is also current general manager of the Fever. Quigley is currently playing for the Chicago Sky and has also built a career over seas. She’s one of the better shooters in the WNBA at age 33, having won the 3-point contest at All-Star Weekend in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018.

NBA H-O-R-S-E Tournament Pool Picks

Will Trae Young make a half-court shot?

• Yes
• No

Trae is absolutely draining an insane half-court shot. Next.

Will any player get shutout?

• Yes
• No

I would be pretty surprised if this were the case from looking at the field.

Will any WNBA player advance?

• Yes
• No

First off, there’s one WNBA player and one former player. Second, this question is suspect and I don’t think it belongs here. I don’t see why Catchings and Quigley wouldn’t have a good shot at advancing. Catchings is one of the best WNBA players ever and Quigley can shoot the lights out.

Who will win: Trae Young vs. Chauncey Billups?

I followed Billups career pretty closely with the Pistons in the mid-2000s and I’d hate to pick against my dude. Young is probably too good at HORSE to pass on. I’d only pick Billups to differentiate myself from the field.

Will Trae Young make his first shot?

Again, I’d say the percentages are heavy in favor of Young banging his first shot. With that said, leverage will be good if you opt to take Trae missing his first shot.

Who will win: Tamika Catchings vs. Mike Conley?

Catchings is going to wipe the floor with Conley. Really though, I can see Tamika winning this easily. Conley doesn’t have crazy range like Young, so anything insane from half court may not be in play. Conley’s hamstring has also been bothering him, so I don’t know if he does anything overly athletic.

Who will win: Zach LaVine vs. Paul Pierce?

This is a tough one and I think will be the most competitive HORSE match. LaVine has range and the youthful exuberance. Pierce can hit from any spot on the court, though I’m not sure if retirement took anything away from him. My lean is LaVine, since he’s been at home working out in his gym the past month.

Who will win: Chris Paul vs. Allie Quigley?

This is another tough one. I’m going to lean CP3, mostly because he could pull out some crazy layup that Quigley just can’t get done. As for shooting and creativity, I give the edge to Quigley.

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