2023-24 NBA MVP odds: Sixers’ Joel Embiid, Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić co-favorites
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid are co-favorites (+250) to be named the 2023-24 NBA MVP.
Jokić’s odds moved this week from +330 to win the NBA’s most prestigious award.
Embiid, last season’s MVP, has missed four straight games with a sprained ankle.
RELATED: Tracking Detroit Pistons losing streak
Embiid, whose odds fell from +155, has a 13-game streak of games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, breaking a franchise record held by Wilt Chamberlain.
It’s the longest 30-10 streak since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it in 16 straight games in 1971-72 and Elgin Baylor (15 straight in 1961-62).
Jokić is seeking his third MVP award, as he won following the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
Let’s look at the latest odds of winning the prestigious award.
ODDS TO WIN 2023-24 NBA MVP*
Joel Embiid, 76ers: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total)
Nikola Jokić, Nuggets: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total)
Luka Dončić, Mavericks: +430 (bet $10 to win $53 total)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
Jayson Tatum, Celtics: +3100 (bet $10 to win $320 total)
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Kevin Durant, Suns: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Devin Booker, Suns: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
De’Aaron Fox, Kings: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers: +9500 (bet $10 to win $960 total)
Anthony Davis, Lakers: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Steph Curry, Warriors: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
LeBron James, Lakers: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
*odds as of 12/30/2023
Dallas’ Luka Dončić moved to third (+430) from fourth (+700) after scoring 50 points Monday against Phoenix and 39 points Wednesday against Cleveland.
Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is fourth on the odds list (+450) after scoring 30 or more points in six straight games. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points in the Thunder’s 119-93 win over Jokić and the Nuggets on Friday.
FOX Sports Betting Analyst Jason McIntyre weighed in on the award (Editor’s Note: Expert’s MVP pick made in July):
Only three players stand out to me early as possibly actionable MVP bets to make for the upcoming season.
Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Having advanced to the conference finals in four of the last six years, the Celtics are one of my favorites to win the title, and Tatum is the primary reason. I’m buying the trade of Marcus Smart as a win for the Celtics and Tatum. It will enable the 25-year-old to be the true leader of this team, something Smart has been since entering the league.
Tatum’s points, rebounds and assists have all gone up each year he’s been in the league, and his 30-8-4 were all career highs last year. A first-team All-NBA player each of the last two seasons, I expect him to win the MVP — and an NBA title.
PICK: Jayson Tatum (+800 at time of pick) to win MVP
Nikola Jokić, Nuggets
The two-time MVP is coming off an NBA title, Finals MVP, and the unofficial title of best player in the NBA. He’s the favorite for a third MVP, largely on the heels of an insane playoff run where he averaged 30-12-9 over 20 games and also hit a staggering 46% of 3-pointers. So why not bet on him?
You can’t quantify his desire now that he already has a title and his trophy case has everything. Knowing he’s done it all, will we see him pull back in the regular season to save himself for the postseason? We saw that late last season, and it worked. Either way, he’s the best player in the game, so worth a sprinkle.
PICK: Nikola Jokić (+430 at time of pick) to win MVP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
If I’m looking for a super sleeper to win the MVP next year, it has to be SGA. Having just turned 25, he is coming off an excellent season in which he averaged a career-high 31 points and was first-team All-NBA.
Before you scoff, remember the Sacramento Kings improved by 18 wins last year, and the Thunder might be a breakout candidate, as they look to build on the play-in appearance last year while adding Chet Holmgren to the starting lineup.
PICK: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+1700 at time of pick) to win MVP
