The NBA season has begun its final push following the All-Star break. People are worried about the push to the playoffs and which teams will be invited to the party. However, there are still lots of other storylines to look at in the NBA down the stretch.
One of the biggest things to watch outside of the playoff competition is the NBA MVP odds. If you score a successful future bet, there is a ton of value in the market. We have lots of data to look at for our best bets to help us win big.
Let’s break down the best candidates for the 2022 NBA MVP award.
The Frontrunners
The NBA MVP award is turning into a three-horse race, but anything can happen in the season’s final stretch. Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the three dogs in the main fight for the award.
Embiid is the heavy favorite at +145, so a $100 wager would win $145. Jokic follows him at +270 and Antetokounmpo at +390. Approximately 23 games remain in the season depending on the team, so these players still have time to make their case.
Additionally, teams that make the playoffs have a higher shot of winning the award. This is a quality that means a lot to voters because success is predicated on winning games.
The Long Shots
There are a few long shots that I do not advise touching. The only player with some value is Steph Curry, the fourth likely to win overall. Curry is +1200, but at one point, he was the favorite.
Golden State will make the playoffs, and Curry should take a big role in the final portion of the season. The other players to watch are Ja Morant at +1800 and DeMar DeRozan at +2000. The payouts are superior with these bets, but I would fade these bets.
The likelihood of them hitting is slim to none with just over 20 games left. It’s best to focus on the three players at the top of the betting market.
2022 NBA MVP Betting Prediction
The Sixers, Bucks, and Nuggets should all be playing postseason basketball. Philadelphia and Milwaukee are two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Embiid is the leading points scorer in the NBA, and this is the money stat.
This automatically gives Embiid the best shot to win the award. However, Antetokounmpo is right behind Embiid in second. He also ranks higher in rebounds and assists. These two players will battle down the stretch.
I have more faith in the Sixers at this point, so I like Embiid. Jokic is a decent bet, but he wins in the paint. His style is not flashy, and he won the MVP award last season. The voters do not like repeat winners, so he really needs to make a strong case.
Jokic is second in boards, eighth in points, and eighth in assists. However, Denver may be a play-in team for the NBA playoffs.
My best bet is Embiid. He is leading the league and scoring, and Philadelphia will be an authority down the stretch.
Pick: Joel Embiid to Win MVP (+145)
