When it comes to betting on the NBA’s MVP, it can be one of the more simple wagers you can place from a betting standpoint, but from a strategic standpoint, it can be a little more challenging. Betting on the NBA MVP award is a futures wager, much like other futures options. The odds will be listed at the start of the season, similarly to where you’d see NBA Finals or divisional odds.
The NBA MVP can be any position, but has traditionally been awarded to Centers. However, in more recent years, forwards and point guards have been receiving more recognition in this category. This is definitely something to note in your NBA MVP betting strategy.
When it comes to NBA MVPs, the panel looks at a set amount of criteria. First and foremost, they look at the player performances – the level the player performs at all year. Secondly, what that player brings to their team and their team successes – if a team is winning, partly or mostly because of that player, and may not be performing as well without, that is a huge consideration.
What makes this challenging, is that we can’t be certain which players will have a standout season. There are always the star players that we keep our eye on each season, but there can be some underdogs that rise to the occasion. You are selecting a player from a long list of exceptional NBA players, and choosing the MVP can be a little more difficult than you think!
We recommend keeping an eye on a few things before placing you wager, or to use this information to cash out your wagers as the season progresses.
First is the team dynamic. Keep an eye on how the team gels and how a certain player makes the team better. We understand that winning is a team effort, but would the team be as strong without this player?
Injuries will be your biggest threat when betting on the NBA MVP award. If you select a star player from a particular team, and they get injured – it’s safe to say your MVP award bet is dead. On the other hand, if a player in contention for an MVP award loses their right hand man, or a team mate that helps them be a better player, you might see their value drop.
Reading NBA MVP odds are simple. You have a list of players with numbers next to them – the lower the number in the negative, the more favored the team is, and the higher the number in the positive, the larger the underdog.
All MVP award recipients who have since retired from play have all been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The player with the most MVP award wins is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with six, then Michael Jordan and Bill Russell are tied with five and Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James are tied with four.
The current Most Valuable Player is Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
If you’re ready to bet on the upcoming NBA MVP odds, head over to the sportsbook to place your futures bet on the 2022 NBA MVP award recipient.