By Chris Havlicek Contributor
Updated 12/18/23 3:11am ET
The betting market suggests that Nikola Jokic is headed towards a third NBA MVP award, which would put him in even more elite company in basketball lore.
The Denver Nuggets center remains the favorite but his odds have shortened to +175, after entering this month at +200.
“The Joker” is nearly averaging a triple-double, leading the league in rebounding (12.7 per game), ranking third in assists (9.4) and sitting eighth in scoring (28.4). He also leads the NBA with 10 triple-doubles and 23 double-doubles.
Jokic entered the season as the favorite at +400 and previously won this award in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Only eight other players in NBA history have won it at least three times.
Luka Doncic remains the second favorite at +400, lowering from +550. Doncic is second in the league in scoring (32.3) and tied for fourth in assists (9.1). He also sits second in triple-doubles with five.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP, remains third in odds at +600 after starting the season at +700.
The biggest odds shift is Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard sits at +750, after beginning this month at +2300. He has scored at least 28 points in 10 of his last 11 games, and OKC is currently the second seed in the Western Conference.
Here are the latest odds of the NBA MVP Race (courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook):
Nikola Jokic +175
Luca Doncic +400
Joel Embiid +600
Giannis Antetokounmpo +750
Shea Gilgeous-Alexander +750
Jayson Tatum +1200
Tyrese Haliburton +1200
Kevin Durant +2500
Photo Courtesy: Icon Sportswire
