NBA MVP Race: Luka Doncic Closing In On Nikola Jokic as Front Runner
The 2023-24 NBA season has just completed its first week, and it's time to take a look at the MVP odds after a few games of stats. Jason Radowitz breaks down the race, and how the top players are moving in the rankings.
Jason Radowitz - October 30, 2023, 10:40 AM EDT
7 min2022-23 NBA MVP Race: Luka Doncic Closing In On Nikola Jokic as Front Runner
We're only a week into the NBA season. A lot can happen and change throughout the season. Therefore, we'll release this article every Monday and talk about the changes on the MVP board weekly. One week in, this is what the odds on the MVP board look like right now.
Player | Odds | Stock Watch | Implied Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
Nikola Jokic | +400 | Neutral | 20% |
Luka Doncic | +430 | Neutral | 18.87% |
Giannis Antetokounmpo | +700 | Neutral | 12.50% |
Jayson Tatum | +700 | Neutral | 12.50% |
Joel Embiid | +1000 | Neutral | 9.09% |
Stephen Curry | +1400 | Neutral | 6.67% |
NBA MVP Power Rankings
1. Nikola Jokic (+400) (Bet $100 to collect $500)
Through three games, Nikola Jokic has added 26.3 points per game with 13 rebounds and 7.7 assists. He doesn't have a triple-double yet and has also averaged five turnovers a game. However, the Nuggets are 3-0, and Jokic has shot 61.5% from the field. As long as the Nuggets keep winning, Jokic will be in the race.
2. Luka Doncic (+430) (Bet $100 to collect $530)
There were a lot of doubters with the Mavericks this season. How would Luka Doncic play with Kyrie Irving? So far, it's been no problem. He's averaged 41 points per game and has hit 48% from three. He's also shooting 58% from the field and has earned 8.5 trips to the line in two games. Plus, he's already got a triple-double on his resume and has earned 11.5 rebounds with 8.5 assists per game.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (+700) (Bet $100 to collect $800)
Through two games, Giannis Antetkounmpo has given the Bucks his usual. He's added 24.5 points with 11.5 rebounds and three assists. He's also turned the ball over five times per game but has shot 54.3% from the field on 17.5 shots per game. Giannis hasn't improved his foul shooting and just lost to the Hawks, 127-110, in the second game with Damian Lillard. That's not ideal.
4. Jayson Tatum (+700) (Bet $100 to collect $800)
The Celtics are 2-0, with Jayson Tatum leading the way this season. He's added 28 points per game with 9.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Tatum has taken nine threes per contest and has only hit 33.3% of those shots. However, he's still 50% from the field through two games. His production could be limited just based on the fact that Boston has so many players who will need the ball. But for now, he's in the top six.
5. Joel Embiid (+1000) (Bet $100 to collect $1100)
Embiid is fourth in the NBA in points per game, with 31. He's added two games with at least 34 points and continues to put up the volume from the field. He's got a knack for getting to the line, which will surely help his points per game. He also just added 15 rebounds against the Trail Blazers in a 126-98 win. In that game, he also added six blocks and seven assists. That was an MVP-like performance out of Embiid.
6. Stephen Curry (+1400) (Bet $100 to collect $1500)
While Curry won't stuff the defensive box score. He's one of the best offensive players in the game. He's averaged 30.7 points per game, with 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He's also hit 44.7% from three, despite taking nearly 13 threes per game. Curry has also drained all 19 free throws in three games and has shot above 50% from the field.
NBA Odds
