NBA Finals MVP Odds: Tatum or Doncic to Take Home the Hardware?

Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals is set to commence tonight at TD Garden in Boston, as the Boston Celtics face off against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Celtics, who were the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and won 64 games in the regular season, are in the Finals for the second time in three seasons. They are seeking their first championship since 2008, which would give them a record 18^th title, one more than the rival Los Angeles Lakers.

After finishing the regular season with a record of 50-32, the Mavericks secured the #5 seed in the Western Conference. This marks their first appearance in the Finals since their memorable upset victory against the Miami Heat in 2011, where they clinched their sole championship title to date.

The recipient of the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award will be determined at the conclusion of the series, honoring an exceptional performer.

Although it is not completely out of the realm of possibility for a player from the losing team to receive the award, it is highly likely that the recipient will be a member of the winning team. This trend has been consistent since the inception of the award in 1969, with the exception of Los Angeles Lakers’ Jerry West, a basketball legend and the inspiration behind the NBA logo, who won the inaugural award despite his team’s defeat to the Boston Celtics in a seven-game series. Since then, no player from a losing team has been honored with the title of NBA Finals MVP.

According to current odds, Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and Mavericks’ Luka Doncic are the top contenders to join the ranks of NBA Finals MVP winners like West, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James. Past records suggest that one of them is highly likely to be crowned with this prestigious trophy.

Odds to Be Named 2024 NBA Finals MVP

The NBA Finals odds below are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on 2024 NBA Finals MVP odds.

• Jayson Tatum -115
• Luka Doncic +200
• Jaylen Brown +750
• Kyrie Irving +1000
• Derrick White +3500
• Kristaps Porzingis +4000
• Jrue Holiday +5000
• P.J. Washington +25000
• Al Horford +25000
• Derrick Jones Jr. +50000

NBA Finals MVP Favorites

Jayson Tatum (NBA Finals MVP Odds: -115)

Tatum has been averaging 26.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game in the 14 games of this year’s playoffs.

Nevertheless, despite only scoring an average of 21.7 points per game in his initial seven games, he managed to significantly improve, averaging 30.3 points per game in his last seven games. This remarkable performance included a consistent 30.3 points per game during Boston’s victorious four-game sweep against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.

Luka Doncic (NBA Finals MVP Odds: +200)

During the regular season, Doncic achieved the NBA scoring title with an impressive average of 33.9 PPG, while also securing second place in assists with 9.8 APG.

Despite a decline in his playoff performance, he maintains an impressive average of 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. During the Mavericks’ victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals, he excelled with an average of 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. His exceptional performance in the first two games in Minneapolis not only secured Dallas a 2-0 series lead but also proved to be crucial in their success.

Jaylen Brown (NBA Finals MVP Odds: +750)

In Boston’s playoff journey, Brown has been performing exceptionally well, entering the NBA Finals with an average of 25.0 points per game (PPG) and 6.1 rebounds per game (RPG). His shooting percentage from the field stands at an impressive 54.1%, which happens to be his highest in any postseason thus far.

While Tatum serves as the primary scoring option for the Celtics, Brown has showcased his scoring prowess on numerous occasions. In a total of 14 games, Brown has surpassed the 25-point mark an impressive eight times. A remarkable highlight includes his outstanding performance of 40 points against the Pacers during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Kyrie Irving (NBA Finals MVP Odds: +1000)

Irving and Celtics’ guard Jrue Holiday stand out as the sole players on the NBA Finals MVP favorites list who possess the valuable experience of winning a championship. Back in 2016, Irving’s memorable shot in the closing minute of Game 7 propelled the Cavaliers to a long-awaited first title, triumphing over the formidable 73-win Warriors.

After his forgettable experiences in Boston and Brooklyn, where he frequently attracted controversy, Irving is now proving himself on the grand stage again. Despite missing the playoffs last season after being traded to Dallas, he is now making a significant impact.

In the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, his scoring average was a modest 15.7 PPG. However, he managed to reach the 30-point milestone three times during the Western Conference finals, which was the same as his performance in the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers.

If the Mavericks win the NBA Finals, Doncic is without a doubt the most probable choice for NBA Finals MVP. However, Irving’s talent for seizing control and performing under pressure also positions him as a formidable contender.

NBA Finals MVP History

Recent Winners (2000-Present)

• 2023: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
• 2022: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
• 2021: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
• 2020: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
• 2019: Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
• 2018: Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
• 2017: Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
• 2016: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
• 2015: Andre Igoudala, Golden State Warriors
• 2014: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
• 2013: LeBron James, Miami Heat
• 2012: LeBron James, Miami Heat
• 2011: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
• 2010: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
• 2009: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
• 2008: Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
• 2007: Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
• 2006: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
• 2005: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
• 2004: Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons
• 2003: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
• 2002: Shaquill O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
• 2001: Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
• 2000: Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers

Most All-Time Wins

• 6: Michael Jordan (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
• 4: LeBron James (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
• Magic Johnson won the NBA championship in 1980, 1982, and 1987. Shaquille O’Neal achieved the feat from 2000 to 2002, while Tim Duncan claimed the title in 1999, 2003, and 2005.
• There are a total of 7 players, which includes Kawhi Leonard (active from 2014 to 2019) and Kevin Durant (active in 2017 and 2018).

Other NBA Finals Betting Information

Where to Bet on the 2024 NBA Finals

Are you interested in betting on NBA Finals odds? Many of the top online sportsbooks will have a variety of odds for the NBA Finals, ranging from game odds, futures odds, and prop bets.

Throughout the season, in addition to being able to bet on 2024 NBA championship odds, you can make daily NBA picks on odds for every game all season long, including NBA playoffs odds.

Also, you can bet on the All-Star Game, NBA Draft odds, and the major awards like NBA MVP, NBA Rookie of the Year, and more at most reputable sports betting sites.

There are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for NBA betting. In addition to BetOnline, here are several books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI (review)
• BetUS (review)
• Bookmaker (review)
• Bovada (review)
• MyBookie (review)
• Sportsbetting.ag (review)

What if you don’t have an account at a book on this list? Check out our sportsbook reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Looking to make some player prop picks for the series? Bovada is one of the best sports betting sites for NBA player props, as they offer a plethora of prop markets for every game on the schedule. They also have a hefty welcome bonus for cryptocurrency users (75% up to $750).

Interested in Learning More About NBA Betting?

Looking to learn more about the ins and outs of betting on the NBA? Check out our NBA betting guide. Also, if you’d like to learn more about NBA player prop bets, check out our NBA player props guide.

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