NBA MVP Race: Kawhi Leonard Has Entered the Race To Win MVP Heading Into Week 17
Jalen Brunson has left the NBA MVP race because he's missed a few games with a sprained ankle. Now Kawhi Leonard has entered the race. Jason Radowitz shares the latest NBA MVP odds heading into Week 17.
Jason Radowitz - February 12, 2024, 9:30 AM EST
5 minNBA MVP Race: Kawhi Leonard Has Entered the Race To Win MVP Heading Into Week 17
Just as Jalen Brunson was in the top five to win the MVP, he sprained his ankle and has missed some games ever since.
While he's dropped out of the conversation, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has jumped up in the rankings.
He still has a long way to go if he wants to catch up to Nikola Jokic at the top. Let's talk about it below.
NBA MVP Odds
Click here for the latest NBA MVP odds
PLAYER | ODDS | STOCK WATCH | IMPLIED CHANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
Nikola Jokic | -140 | Neutral | 58.33% |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 270 | Neutral | 27.03% |
Giannis Antetokounmpo | 650 | Neutral | 13.33% |
Luka Doncic | 1000 | Neutral | 9.09% |
Kawhi Leonard | 2900 | Up | 3.33% |
NBA MVP Rankings
1. Nikola Jokic (-140) (Bet $140 to collect $240)
In four games in February, Nikola Jokic has added 25.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. Most importantly, the Nuggets have won 10 of their last 13 games and look to be the best Western Conference team in the NBA.
Jokic won't lead the league in scoring this year. He probably won't lead in any category. But he's able to be a top-ten player in almost every category, which makes him so dominant and special.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+270) (Bet $100 to collect $370)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is second in the NBA in points per game with 31.1 points. He's also added 6.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 54.8% from the field.
With Gilgeous-Alexander's volume, shooting nearly 55% from the field is challenging. He's not a forward who plays around the rim. He's a guard that gets most of his shots inside the arc.
It's insane to watch. That's why he's second on the odds board.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (+650) (Bet $100 to collect $750)
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are struggling right now. The Bucks have lost six of their last nine games despite the 120-84 win over Charlotte on Friday.
Giannis has scored just 17 and 15 points over his last two games. He's also played just 27 or fewer minutes in those two games because of blowouts.
Still, Giannis has added more than 30 points per game with 11.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting nearly 61% from the floor.
The Bucks need to start winning more consistently. But Giannis is playing at an elite level.
4. Luka Doncic (+1100) (Bet $100 to collect $1200)
The leading scorer in the NBA is fourth on the list for the MVP.
Luka Doncic has averaged 33 points in his last five games and has also earned 10.2 rebounds and 8.6 assists as a guard.
The Mavericks are currently on a four-game winning streak. But the even bigger story is that Doncic also has Kyrie Irving back on the court. That's helped keep some weight off his shoulders. He's playing looser and dominating.
Doncic has all the ability to become this year's MVP. He's a dark horse right now.
5. Kawhi Leonard (+2900) (Bet $100 to collect $3000)
Kawhi Leonard has had some big offensive games over the last couple of weeks. He's added at least 30 points in four of his previous seven games and has helped the Clippers to ten wins in the last 12 games.
Leonard has averaged just 24.2 points per game. He's also earned 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists and is one of the better defenders in the game.
But statistically, he has a long way to go to beat the other players mentioned above.
NBA ODDS
