2024 NBA MVP Odds: ‘The Joker’ Looms as the Favorite
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Second in MVP Betting
As the NBA regular season is winding down, the frontrunners for the MVP have climbed to the top. And nobody has risen higher than Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who is the NBA odds-on favorite, although it’s not in the bag yet. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the second choice, and Luka Doncic is third.
There’s a significant drop-off to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum. Kawhi Leonard and Jalen Brunson are the only other players listed, although they have little hope of winning. The 2024 NBA MVP odds are going to change. The top three right now are likely going to be the three favorites for the balance of the season.
Nikola Jokic (-150)
Jokic is a solid favorite, and rightly so. He’s led Denver to a 41-19 record, averaging 25.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game. His 19 triple-doubles are second in the league. If the Nuggets can finish in front of Oklahoma City in the NBA standings, it will be tough to beat Jokic.
The NBA player stats show he’s the only player in the league to be averaging at least nine points, rebounds and assists. It’s tough to lay -150 on these types of bets, although they’re justified in Jokic’s case.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+220)
Gilgeous-Alexander is having a monster season for the Thunder, scoring 31.2 points per game with 5.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists. The one thing that could hurt him, however, is he’s viewed as simply a scorer. While his rebounds and assist totals aren’t bad, they don’t compare with Jokic or Luka Doncic.
They’re seen as better all-around players. Gilgeous-Alexander has no triple-doubles this season, only seven double-doubles. Doncic has 33 points, and he’s scoring more than SGA. The Thunder are playing well, with a 41-18 record, and he’s been a key factor in that, so he’ll get some votes.
If bettors were allowed to choose the MVP, SGA would get a few more votes. The Thunder are 37-20-1 against the NBA scores and odds this season, including a 10-4-1 ATS mark when underdogs.
Luka Doncic (+500)
Doncic is down the list a little bit in the 2024 NBA MVP odds despite leading the league in scoring with 34.4 points per game. He’s also averaging 8.8 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game. The 34-25 record of the Mavs hurts him a little bit, however the team has been playing better, going 8-2 in its last 10 NBA games.
Doncic can boost his chances if the Mavericks finish strong down the stretch. This NBA team is No. 7 in the West. Escaping the play-in games and finishing in the top five would only help. The odds aren’t bad and he’s capable of going on a tear, however, he’ll need his teammates to also pick-up their games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1600)
Antetokounmpo is another player who sees his 2024 NBA MVP odds hurt by the team not playing to expectations. The Bucks are No. 3 in the East, although they were expected to battle Boston for the No. 1 spot. That’s not happening this season. The NBA scores show Milwaukee is struggling defensively.
So far, Doc Rivers hasn’t been the answer regarding team defense. Giannis is averaging 30.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. If Milwaukee can go on a run, Antetokounmpo’s chances of winning the award will improve, but it will probably not be enough to pass one of the top three players.
Jayson Tatum (+2200)
Tatum is having a solid season for the Celtics, who are leading the East, although he doesn’t have some of the stats the other players do. It’s a balance of team and individual play that determines the MVP, and Tatum’s biggest asset right now is the team aspect.
He’s averaging 27 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Celtics. Tatum has recorded 21 double-doubles, but no triple-doubles this NBA season. His field goal percentage is also a notch below the others above him.
Kawhi Leonard (+10000)
Leonard is having a decent season, and the Clippers are playing well, but he’s nowhere near the other players on the list. Leonard is averaging 24 points, with 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Those numbers aren’t on par with Tatum’s, let alone Doncic, Jokic, or SGA. Leonard may be a better defender than the others on the list, although the MVP is heavily titled to the best offensive performance.
Jalen Brunson (+10000)
Much like Leonard, Brunson will get a little consideration due to how well the team is playing. He’s a key cog in the Knicks machine, but he lacks the all-around stats of the others. Brunson is scoring 27.7 points, with 6.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He’ll get some votes, but it’s just not nearly enough to win.
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