NBA MVP Race: Nikola Jokic the New Favorite, Giannis Antetokounmpo Takes a Tumble

NBA MVP Race: Nikola Jokic the New Favorite, Giannis Antetokounmpo Takes a Tumble

We’re finally back with updated NBA MVP Odds Rankings, and we’re seeing more odds movement than normal. It’s the fun part of the season with awards talk finally coming together and teams consistently jumping around in the standings. This calls for an updated look at the Most Valuable player odds update. 

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NBA MVP Race

1. Nikola Jokic (+180) Bet $100 to collect $280. Caesars has the best odds, click here to bet

Jokic passes both the eye test and advanced stats test. He’s the best player on the best team in the Western Conference, too. His team is significantly worse when he’s not on the court, and that goes for both him and Doncic, who closely follows him in this race. It was only a matter of time before Jokic took over the top spot on this list, too. National media is constantly talking about Jokic and his potential to win his third straight MVP. He’s barely averaging over 20 points per game this month, yet his 11 rebounds per game and 11 assists per game prove his impact, and that’s got his odds boosted. Now, when his points per game go up, too, his case becomes that much stronger. Jokic might not hold onto this top spot for long, but it’s impressive that he holds it now. 

2. Luka Doncic (+250) Bet $100 to collect $350. FanDuel has the best odds, click here to bet

Without an absurd stat line all around, it’s hard to not have Doncic in the top three consistently. It’s become a normal thing for Doncic to put up a video game stat line and the media doesn’t react like they probably should. However, it’s similar to Russell Westbrook’s 2017 MVP season, and that’s going to linger the entire season unless the Mavericks put together a huge stretch that leaves them as a top-3 team in the Western Conference. Doncic is averaging 33.8 points per game, 9 rebounds per game, and 8.8 assists per game, which is absurd. 

3. Jayson Tatum (+600) Bet $100 to collect $700. FanDuel has the best odds, click here to bet

Tatum has been consistent this month, and it’s going to earn him a push at the second spot. He put together a total of 84 points in two games against the Hornets, too. I’m expecting a solid odds bump simply for his consistency this month. As long as the Celtics can hold onto the top spot in both the Eastern Conference and NBA, Tatum is going to deserve a top spot on this list. He’s now won seven games in a row, and that goes right along with his consistency this month. In my opinion, his case for the MVP is stronger than Doncic’s, but I don’t make the odds. 

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo (+700) Bet $100 to collect $800. Caesars has the best odds, click here to bet

Giannis started off 2023 with a huge, 55-point performance, but hasn't followed it up with much. He’s had two single-digit performances in only five games played in the month, which isn’t acceptable from an MVP candidate. He’s going to bounce back, that’s a given, but it’s hurting his MVP stock at the moment and Tatum stealing his spot at third on this list isn’t surprising, as they were tied at +600. He’s still averaging 31 points per game and 11.9 rebounds per game on the month. Also, the Bucks are still a top-3 team in the Eastern Conference, but – if they’re not careful – they could fall past the 5 seed easily.

5. Joel Embiid (+1400) Bet $100 to collect $1500. Bet365 has the best odds, click here to bet

Embiid doesn't strike me as a strong candidate for the MVP, and he is only really here because of Durant’s injury he suffered that cripples his case. Embiid has been more than solid this season, and he’s within striking distance of a top spot in the Eastern Conference. His stat line is MVP-level and his team is solid, so there’s no real reason Embiid isn’t consistently on this list other than the fact that there are stronger, more compelling cases around the league and the talent runs incredibly deep in the NBA right now. While I don’t think Embiid will stick on this list, it’s solid that he’s on here right now.

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