Nuggets’ Jokic Makes NBA Finals MVP Betting History Vs. Heat
With 2023 NBA Finals betting set to tip off tonight, let’s analyze the MVP odds for the best-of-seven series. To no one’s surprise, Nikola Jokic not only leads the way among Nuggets odds but also the entire field. That said, one may not guess how significant his price tag is in regards to the history of the Bill Russell Trophy.
Click on any of the NBA Finals odds in this article to place a wager.
NBA Finals MVP Betting Odds
| Click on the odds to place your bet | DraftKings: | Fanduel: | BetMGM: |
|---|---|---|---|
Nikola Jokic | Bet now | Bet now | Bet now |
Jimmy Butler | Bet now | Bet now | Bet now |
Jamal Murray | Bet now | Bet now | Bet now |
Bam Adebayo | Bet now | Bet now | Bet now |
Caleb Martin | Bet now | Bet now | Bet now |
Michael Porter Jr. | Bet now | Bet now | Bet now |
Tyler Herro | Bet now | Bet now | Bet now |
Aaron Gordon | Bet now | Bet now | Bet now |
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Contextualizing Jokic’s Greatness
Considering Denver is a series favorite over the Heat, Jokic is reasonably priced into this betting market. Per the table above, his “cheapest” odds can be found at FanDuel Sportsbook (-340). He’s 20 cents higher at DraftKings.
The two-time regular season MVP is the biggest favorite for the Bill Russell Trophy over the last 20 years. Who were the players directly behind him? The late, great Kobe Bryant (-300 against the Magic in 2009) and LeBron James (-250 versus the Spurs in 2013). Each of them went on to win it.
While Miami big man Bam Adebayo is a fine defensive presence, the interior unit as a whole surrendered the league’s sixth-highest shooting percentage at the rim. They also ranked dead last with respects to short midrange efficiency (via Cleaning The Glass). Jokic thrives in both of those areas, to go along with his perimeter shooting prowess.
If you’re contemplating a wager on two-guard Jamal Murray (+1400), keep in mind that he averaged 35 points (on 66 TS%), 7.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in the previous round. However, Jokic ended up with the Earvin Magic Johnson Western Conference MVP. The narrative should be baked in amongst voters yet again.
Related: NBA Finals Betting Guide
More NBA Finals MVP Analysis
Regarding Heat odds for this award, Jimmy Butler is atop the board. His odds certainly signify the importance of price shopping, as there’s a dollar difference between DraftKings (+330) and BetMGM (+430) at the time of this publish.
Similar to the logic behind Jokic winning NBA Finals MVP if the Nuggets win their first title in franchise history, it would take a special two-way performance from the aforementioned Adebayo (+5000) to unseat Butler for this honor — should the Heat emerge victorious.
Caleb Martin is a perfect example. The undrafted Nevada product was arguably the best player in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. The fact that he boasts the top plus-minus among all players in the playoffs — even ahead of Jokic himself — exemplifies this notion.
Nevertheless, Larry Bird Trophy voters couldn’t help themselves from selecting Butler.
Heat vs. Nuggets Odds: Game 1 NBA Player Props
How to Watch Heat vs. Nuggets
Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. EST on Thursday. You can catch all of the action on ABC.
NBA Finals Betting: Sportsbook Promos
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