Opening 2019 NBA Finals MVP Odds: Giannis & Steph Listed as Co-Favorites at 5-2 Odds
- Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have steamrolled to East Finals
- Curry has re-emerged as the scoring dynamo after KD injury
- What is the best value wager to make for 2019 NBA Finals MVP?
As we get closer to the NBA’s Holy Grail, books have listed their contenders for who will take home NBA Finals MVP.
As you’ll see below, they’re picturing a Bucks-Warriors endgame.
NBA Finals MVP Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +250 |
| Steph Curry | +250 |
| Kevin Durant | +275 |
| Khris Middleton | +800 |
| Kawhi Leonard | +1000 |
| Draymond Green | +2000 |
| Eric Bledsoe | +2000 |
| Klay Thompson | +2000 |
| Pascal Siakim | +2000 |
| Andre Iguodala | +2500 |
| CJ McCollum | +2500 |
| Damian Lillard | +2500 |
| DeMarcus Cousins | +3300 |
| Enes Kanter | +5000 |
| Kyle Lowry | +5000 |
| Marc Gasol | +5000 |
*Odds from May 15, 2019
Let’s delve a little deeper to see if the favorites are the best bets to make, or if there’s better value further down the board.
Giannis Makes Sense, But Be Wary of Curry
If the Bucks are in fact going to beat the Raptors and then (most likely) the Warriors en route to the title, there’s only going to be one reason: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis Antetokounmpo with the casual And1 ?? pic.twitter.com/rYvhzxgy17
— Jason Kaufman (@JKaufman05) May 7, 2019
While you could make the case that the roster around him has been a huge contributor to the Bucks losing just one game through the first two rounds, Antetokounmpo is the undeniable engine driving the Milwaukee bus.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's reaction to this George Hill dunk is suitable for audiences of all ages and feelz pic.twitter.com/nYJA9FE5VO
— Dan Favale (@danfavale) May 9, 2019
Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe and savvy vet play from the likes of George Hill and Brook Lopez have helped keep everything flowing nicely until Malcolm Brogdon got back to full health from a foot injury, which is good, because Toronto is going to be their toughest test yet.
33 PTS in 2nd half.
23 PTS in 4th Q.Relive @StephenCurry30's Game 6 of Conference Semis before Game 1 vs. Portland TONIGHT on ESPN (9pm/et)! #StrengthInNumbers #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/B5Sl0FJ55a
— NBA (@NBA) May 14, 2019
As for Steph Curry, you could make the case that he’s the best player in basketball, but only the second-best on his own squad. Kevin Durant is the reigning two-time Finals MVP, and assuming he returns fully from that scary calf injury, the ball will gravitate to the best offensive force in the NBA.
If that’s the case, let’s just take a moment to marvel at Curry again without KD. He’s been an absolute assassin, and might be the ultimate overqualified ‘in case of emergency’ performer.
☔️ @StephenCurry30 fuels the @warriors Game 1 home W with 36 PTS, 9 3PM, 7 AST, 6 REB! #StrengthInNumbers #NBAPlayoffs
Game 2: Thursday (5/16), 9pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/9uZJXPUQqi
— NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2019
In the two games Durant has been out, Steph poured in 33 second half points to wash away the Rockets in Game 6, and then was a man on fire with 36 to crush the Blazers in Game 1 of the West Finals. In those two games, he’s shot 48.6% from the field and 48.2% from deep, making 13 threes.
Steph in peak postseason form ?
Curry is now tied for the 4th most 30-pt playoff games among active players. pic.twitter.com/NkZGCKxN7H
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 15, 2019
It’s crazy to think that the best shooter in NBA history seemingly plays second fiddle and rides in cruise control, allowing Durant to do much of the heavy lifting.
2019 NBA Playoffs Active Statistical Leaders
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3PT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | 34.2 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 51.3% | 41.6% |
| Kawhi Leonard | 31.8 | 8.5 | 3.6 | 53.9% | 40.8% |
| Damian Lillard | 27.7 | 4.7 | 6.0 | 42.6% | 37.6% |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 27.4 | 11.3 | 4.4 | 52.6% | 32.4% |
| Steph Curry | 25.2 | 5.7 | 5.2 | 45.2% | 39.7% |
| CJ McCollum | 24.9 | 5.5 | 3.2 | 44.9% | 39.6% |
*Games stats through May 14th
Best Value Bet on the Board is Kawhi
In no world should Middleton be a favorite to win Finals MVP ahead of the Raptors’ all-star. But that’s where books have it, with Kawhi at a staggering +1000 to take home the prize.
Leading the #NBAPlayoffs in total points (382)… watch Kawhi Leonard's BEST of the postseason ahead of Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 on Wednesday at 8:30pm/et on TNT! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/wudDtq3Gpp
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2019
Leonard just put together one of the best seven-game series performances in NBA history, totalling 243 points (third all-time) and delivering the first ever game-winning buzzer beater in a Game 7 in the storied history of the league.
Kawhi vs Giannis is gonna be insane
This series is going to ultimately decide for a lot of people who the best player in the east is currently
— NBA All Access (@nballaccess) May 13, 2019
This showdown with the Bucks is virtually a toss-up, which is why you should seriously consider a wager on Kawhi and a Raptors team that might even be better equipped than Milwaukee to oust the Warriors.
What’s the Best Bet to Make Here?
This is not going to be an Andre Iguodala-2015 sort of shocker: there are legitimate superstars on every team left in the final four, and it would be a true stunner to see someone other than a handful of all-NBA level talents be named Finals MVP by the time this season wraps up.
Never forget that Andre Igoudala won an NBA Finals MVP for “holding” Lebron to 36-13-9 per game over 6 games
— Meat (@MeatTC_) May 14, 2019
As much as I would love to lay a wager on Damian Lillard at +2500, I don’t see anyone knocking off the Warriors on their side of the bracket. The safe bet is on Durant (+275) while hedging with Curry (+250) to win his first-ever Finals MVP.
However, the East’s representatives are both plenty capable, and it’s a matter of who advances.
Giannis is a worthy wager, but if you’re seeking better value, Leonard is the bet to make.
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
