Evans to defend dunk title

Jeremy Evans of the Utah Jazz dunks during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest part of 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend at Amway Center on February 25, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

LOS ANGELES–Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans will go for back-to-back wins by throwing his name into the hat for the 2013 slam dunk event during the annual NBA all-star game February 16 in Houston.

Joining the 2012 champ Evans in the dunk competition will be Eric Bledsoe of the Los Angeles Clippers, Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets, Gerald Green of the Indiana Pacers, Terrence Ross of the Toronto Raptors and James White of the New York Knicks.

There is a change in the format for the Saturday event with three players from the Western Conference facing off against the three from the Eastern Conference. The top player from each conference will then battle for the individual crown.

The three point contest will feature Indiana’s Paul George while San Antonio’s Tony Parker seeks to defend his title in the skills challenge.