By Only Players staff
Updated 3/8/25 3:32am ET
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic posted an NBA record stat line with 31 points, 21 rebounds and 22 assists on Friday, forcing oddsmakers to tighten the NBA MVP betting market.
No player in NBA history had every recorded a 30-20-20 game until this. The Denver Nuggets outlasted the Phoenix Suns in overtime, 149-141. Jokic did not achieve the feat in regulation.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the betting favorite but his odds lowered from -600 to -300 at FanDuel, while Jokic’s odds shifted from +350 to +220.
SGA and the Thunder lead the Western Conference by 11 games over the Nuggets and Lakers. At 52-11, they only trail the Cavs by percentage points for the league’s best record.
Gilgeous-Alexander leads the NBA in scoring at 32.8 points, while ranking 15th in assists and second in steals.
Jokic ranks third in scoring (28.8 PPG), third in rebounds (12.8 RPG) and second in assists (10.4 APG). He is averaging a triple-double while also ranking fourth in steals.
This is a two-horse race, given Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are all tied for the third favorite with 500-to-1 odds.
Photo Courtesy: Icon Sportswire
