Heading into the NBA Playoffs this weekend, only four players offer odds to win the 2019 NBA MVP. Right now, Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo is a major favorite to take home the award. Check out a deep dive into NBA MVP betting odds, and a few thoughts that can help us determine what player to back to win the 2019 NBA MVP.
Updated NBA MVP Betting Predictions April 11th
NBA MPV Odds@JHarden13 is having a historically great season. He brought the Rockets back from 11-14 to a top 3 team in the West. CP3 and Capela injured for months. 3-1 vs GSW this season. Most PPG since Jordan. 9 games with 50 pts or more. #NBAMVP
— Mario Sanchez (@Super_Mario5) April 7, 2019
- Giannis Antetokounmpo -400
- James Harden +300
- Steph Curry +1000
- Paul George +1000
Is The Greek Freak that Much of a Lock?
Based on where the money’s going? Yes, he absolutely is! Giannis Antetokounmpo has been consistently awesome this season. He averages 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.5 blocks, and 5.9 assists per game. He’s the epitome of a do everything basketball player.
What’s really fantastic about Giannis’s game is that he doesn’t rely exclusively on scoring or rebounding. There’s been plenty of instances where Giannis has looked to first pass the ball to either Khris Middleton, or play decoy for Eric Bledsoe. That’s why the Bucks had the best record in the NBA during the regular season.
Giannis is close to a lock to win the MVP. But, sometimes, NBA MVP voters don’t always go with the signals Vegas oddsmakers send them. Check out a few other thoughts on this year’s NBA MVP Award.
What are the True Chances of James Harden Winning Back-to-Back?
Harden offers +300 odds. Like Giannis, Harden’s posted some great, close to amazing, stats this season: 36.1 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per, 2 steals a game, .7 blocks per, and 7.5 assists each game. The points, rebound, and assists says Harden might be the best player in the NBA right now.
A couple of differences exist between Harden and Giannis that makes him the second choice. First, NBA MVP voters gave the award to The Beard last season. Unless your name is Mike Jordan, they don’t often hand MVP awards to players back-to-back. Second, The Greek Freek is the story in the NBA this season. The Bucks were a major underdog to win the NBA Title heading into the season. Now, because of Giannis, they’re a solid second choice.
Harden’s played well enough to win back-to-back, but his true fair odds in this case are probably closer to +500 than +300.
Of the Two Underdogs, Who Deserves a Look? Steph or PG-13?
Without a doubt, Steph Curry deserves backing if you’re looking to play a massive underdog to somehow wrest away the NBA MVP from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Steph has been his usual dominant self, averaging 27.3 points, 5.3 boards, 1.3 steals, and 5.2 assists per game.Paul George, PG-13, has had a great season, but he plays with Russell Westbrook and Oklahoma City was only good enough for the sixth seed in the Western Conference. More importantly, Curry is the best player on what could end up becoming one of the great NBA Dynasties of all time. That gives him an underdog shot of winning the NBA MVP every season.
If you really want to put money behind a dog, back Steph before backing Paul George.
