By Larry Rupp
While it’s only been a month or so, the NBA season is in full swing and the league’s top players are starting to separate themselves from the pack. The only problem is there are a ton of them. The race for the MVP award is as crowded as ever, but there is still a lot of value to find for bettors looking to get in on the action.
With that in mind, here are three of the best bets to make when looking at the NBA MVP odds, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Safest Bet: Stephen Curry (+200)
Golden State guard Stephen Curry currently leads all MVP candidates with odds set at +200 and for good reason. The seven-time All-Star’s heroics on the court have guided the Warriors to one of the best records in the Western Conference. Keep in mind this is a team that came into the year with expectations of being a borderline playoff squad.
He’s not just getting it done on the offensive end, either. Curry’s defense has taken a major step up this season as he is racking up steals at a career-best rate and posting an occasional block, too. No matter how you look at it, the Warriors’ leader has been playing out of his mind. If he can keep up his dominant scoring average, he will lock this award down sooner rather than later.
After 9 more triples, check out the best of @StephenCurry30's 85 threes so far this season…the MOST in @NBAHistory through 15 games! pic.twitter.com/byx0qNHhfq
— NBA (@NBA) November 19, 2021
Underrated Odds: Paul George (+3000)
The Clippers have been finding their way without star forward Kawhi Leonard as he continues to work his way back from a partially torn ACL. They recently ripped off a seven-game winning streak and have been carried by veteran Paul George’s consistently great performances. He is currently averaging more points, rebounds and steals than either of his first two seasons in Los Angeles.
More importantly, George is at his best when he is playing team basketball. The 31-year-old’s versatility allows the younger players to truly shine given the amount of injuries this starting core is taking on (Marcus Morris, Serge Ibaka, etc.). The Clippers seem to be only getting better, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them earn home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. George would have a great shot at earning his first MVP award in that case.
Paul George put the moves on Murray 🥶 pic.twitter.com/XrDTgWaHZs
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 17, 2021
Long-Shot Bet: DeMar DeRozan (+4000)
Many NBA executives didn’t bat an eye when the Bulls acquired DeMar DeRozan via a sign-and-trade this past August. However, the 13th-year pro is thriving in his new environment and proving all the doubters wrong. The veteran leadership he has brought to this young Bulls core has turned them into a legitimate Eastern Conference contender in just over a month.
That is exactly what an MVP does. DeRozan is currently the highest- scoring NBA player in the fourth quarter this season and seems to turn it on when it matters the most. Teaming up with Zach LaVine has given DeRozan an opportunity to blossom as a reliable spot-up shooter (50 percent field-goal rate this season). These odds are sure to jump if the four-time All-Star keeps bringing it every single night. Throw a couple bucks on DeRozan before it’s too late.
DEMAR DEROZAN IS DEEP IN HIS BAG.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 16, 2021
(Check out the bench)@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/sv1WiipJYj
Picture Credit: Wikimedia
