We have a little bit over a month left on the NBA season. If you are looking to get into the NBA futures market, here is a breakdown of what to expect down the season’s home stretch.
Regular Season MVP Odds Powered by PointsBet.
Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic (-140)
The Denver Nuggets are currently the fifth seed in the Western Conference and are only one game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the third. I’ll be honest, the Nuggets have looked very impressive with the addition of Aaron Gordon. They look like title contenders. The Nuggets have a very manageable schedule going down the stretch and I can see why Jokic is currently the favorite, but I would not lay -140 on him.
Brooklyn Nets, James Harden (+400)
Since January, I have been banging the table for James Harden to be recognized as a legit MVP candidate. I have tickets for him to win the award at +2500, +1400 and +1000. Now that the number is at +400, I feel excellent about it. The Brooklyn Nets are currently tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference and Kevin Durant should be joining his teammates later this week. If the Nets end the season as the top seed in the East, Harden should lock up the award. Although, I am slightly concerned with Harden’s neck injury.
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Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo (+800)
The Bucks have played very well recently — they are 10-3 since the All-Star Break — and Giannis is playing as well as anyone in the league. On the season, he is averaging 28 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. I think it will be tough for Giannis to win the award this season and he will not be a trendy pick, especially since the Bucks have two games with the 76ers later this month and two games with the Nets to start the month of May. Those four games will be critical to the MVP race.
Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid (+900)
Before his knee injury, Joel Embiid was the favorite to win the MVP award. Even with Embiid missing 10 games, the 76ers are still tied for the top spot in the East with the Brooklyn Nets. However, that could actually hurt Embiid’s chances. What I do like about Embiid at +900, though, is that a month ago he was the favorite at +125. That’s outstanding value on the guy who was just in the drivers seat.
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Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard (+1000)
Damian Lillard has emerged as a legit MVP candidate since the All-Star Break, with the Trail Blazers sitting in the fifth seed in the Western Conference and only 1.5 games out of the third. Lillard is having a great season as usual, but I don’t think Portland will get enough wins the rest of the way to push Lillard over the top. The Trail Blazers have a six-game road trip coming up at the end of April and they also close the season with games vs. the Jazz, Suns and Nuggets.
Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic (+1200)
The Dallas Mavericks are 14-6 in their last 20 games and Luka Doncic is playing just as well as anyone in the league. The player who started the season as the MVP favorite is making a late-season push to win the award. Dallas also has a very favorable schedule down the stretch while currently occupying the seventh seed in the West. If they can make it up to the fourth seed, Doncic could become a serious MVP candidate. He is certainly worth putting a few bucks on.
