NBA Finals MVP Betting Guide

NBA Finals MVP Betting Guide
NBA Finals MVP Betting Guide

We finally have our 2023 NBA Finals matchup set – the Denver Nuggets vs. the Miami Heat will battle for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. While the matchup is a bit of a surprise – at least the Miami part – the players who have shone brightest for their respective teams thus far are no shock.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Miami’s Jimmy Butler were the MVPs of their respective Conference Championships. So what are the chances either of them will win this year’s NBA Finals MVP award? Magic 8 Ball says: Outlook is good.

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NBA Finals MVP Betting Guide

The Favorites

Nikola Jokic – Denver (-360)

Well, duh. Not much really needs to be said here. Nikola Jokic is arguably the best player on the planet, so unless The Moonsters show up, he’ll be the best player in this series. He leads the Nuggets in points (29.9 PPG), rebounds (13.3 RPG), assists (10.3 APG), and blocks (0.9 BPG) in the playoffs thus far.

If the Nuggets are to win the series – and they are heavily favored to do so – then Jokic is the logical choice for MVP. So if you expect Denver to lift their first Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy this season, you may as well put money down on them winning. Add Jokic winning MVP while you’re at it.

Jimmy Butler – Miami (+330)

What was said above about Jokic pretty much completely applies to Miami’s Jimmy Butler as well. Perhaps even more so. Butler has carried his undermanned and injured squad to the gates of the promised land. He leads the Heat in the postseason in scoring (28.5 PPG), assists (5.7 APG), and steals (2.1 SPG). Not to mention the intangibles he brings to the court every game that doesn’t show up in the box score.

With this being an award voted on by media members, the narrative is key. Jimmy will have that on his side. Like I said about Denver and Jokic if you are betting on Miami to win this series, double down and take Butler as NBA Finals MVP.

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Next in Line

Jamal Murray – Denver (+1700)

A sprinkle on Jamal Murray to win the NBA Finals MVP isn’t the worst use of your money. While Jokic has been the team’s best player, they wouldn’t have made it this far without ‘Playoff Jamal’ coming through as he has. He has averaged 27.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, and hit 3.1 three-pointers per contest at a 39.8% success rate this postseason. So it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Murray catches fire for a couple of games (or more) and runs away with the trophy.

The Darkhorse

Caleb Martin – Miami (+5000)

It isn’t too promising that Caleb Martin played out of his mind in the Boston Celtics series (19.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 3.1 3pt/g), yet teammate Jimmy Butler still won the conference MVP award (Martin came one vote short). But we’re being offered +5000 on him shining brightest on the biggest stage. So it could be worth a gamble. He’s a solid two-way player for the Heat, and a few big games from him could throw the narrative into his court. Think Andre Iguodala in the 2015 NBA Finals.

 

 

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