The Denver Nuggets have won seven of their last eight, and now, Nikola Jokic is pulling away in the race for NBA MVP.
Jokic put up 32 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in Denver’s 115-109 win over the Celtics on Thursday and his MVP odds shortened to -170.
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On the other hand, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saw his odds lengthen slightly. Even though the Thunder handled Portland 128-120 on Wednesday night, his odds went to +250 from +220.
Making a huge jump up the oddsboard, however, was Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards. Overnight, his MVP odds went to +16000 from +34000.
That movement came in the wake of the Timberwolves’ gutsy 113-111 victory over the Pacers on Thursday. In that contest, Edwards racked up 44 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks — including one that sealed the game as the clock expired.
Let’s take a look at the latest MVP odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.
ODDS TO WIN 2023-24 NBA MVP: *
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: -170 (bet $10 to win $15.88 total)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total)
Luka Doncic, Mavericks: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: +1700 (bet $10 to win $180 total)
Jayson Tatum, Celtics: +2600 (bet $10 to win $270 total)
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: +16000 (bet $10 to win $1,610 total)
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers: +34000 (bet $10 to win $3,410 total)
* odds as of 3/8/2024
FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd listed out his top 10 duos in the NBA, and Jokic made up half of the No. 1 tandem, along with Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray.
“I get a big man who on any given night can have 15 assists, 15 rebounds and 30 points. … Jokic is the best player in the league.”
Nikola Jokic-Jamal Murray top Colin’s Top 10 NBA duos
FOX Sports Betting Analyst Jason McIntyre weighed in on the MVP award before the season started (Editor’s Note: Expert’s MVP pick made in July):
Only three players stand out to me early as possibly actionable MVP bets to make for the upcoming season.
Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Having advanced to the conference finals in four of the last six years, the Celtics are one of my favorites to win the title, and Tatum is the primary reason. I’m buying the trade of Marcus Smart as a win for the Celtics and Tatum. It will enable the 25-year-old to be the true leader of this team, something Smart has been since entering the league.
Tatum’s points, rebounds and assists have all gone up each year he’s been in the league, and his 30-8-4 were all career highs last year. A first-team All-NBA player each of the last two seasons, I expect him to win the MVP — and an NBA title.
PICK: Jayson Tatum (+800 at time of pick) to win MVP
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
The two-time MVP is coming off an NBA title, Finals MVP, and the unofficial title of best player in the NBA. He’s the favorite for a third MVP, largely on the heels of an insane playoff run where he averaged 30-12-9 over 20 games and also hit a staggering 46% of 3-pointers. So why not bet on him?
You can’t quantify his desire now that he already has a title and his trophy case has everything. Knowing he’s done it all, will we see him pull back in the regular season to save himself for the postseason? We saw that late last season, and it worked. Either way, he’s the best player in the game, so worth a sprinkle.
PICK: Nikola Jokic (+430 at time of pick) to win MVP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
If I’m looking for a super sleeper to win the MVP next year, it has to be SGA. Having just turned 25, he is coming off an excellent season in which he averaged a career-high 31 points and was first-team All-NBA.
Before you scoff, remember the Sacramento Kings improved by 18 wins last year, and the Thunder might be a breakout candidate, as they look to build on the play-in appearance last year while adding Chet Holmgren to the starting lineup.
PICK: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+1700 at time of pick) to win MVP
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