Stephen Curry Finals MVP Odds Shorten to +440 After Warriors Defeat Nuggets in Game 5

• Steph Curry has become Finals MVP favorite after the Warriors progressed to the Conference Semifinals
• Curry leads Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the betting 
• Is now a good time to back Curry to win his first Finals MVP? 

The Golden State Warriors sealed their series win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. Steph Curry returned to the starting line up as the Dubs won Game 5. The Warriors are NBA Championship odds favorites with several of their Western Conference foes facing challenges in this postseason, and fittingly, Curry has become Finals MVP favorite.

Curry places ahead of Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Suns duo of Devin Booker and Chris Paul in NBA Finals MVP betting.

2022 NBA Finals MVP Odds

Odds as of Apr 28 at FanDuel Sportsbook

Warriors Roll Past Denver

The Warriors were sensational in the first round. Any concerns about Curry’s performances coming off an injury quickly disappeared. The two-time regular season MVP was majestic off the bench, and with his minutes restriction lifted for Game 5, it was 30 for number 30 in 38 minutes.

Goodnight, #DubNation pic.twitter.com/VjKzGqQapB

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 28, 2022

Denver were overmatched throughout, but they fought hard in the final two games. Such tests could prove beneficial for the Warriors as they progress to face the Timberwolves or Grizzlies in the second round. They were challenged at points in round one, but still have the benefit of a few days to rest before the semifinals tip off.

The five-man group of Curry, Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green was phenomenal at both ends. Just as Curry has crushed any doubts coming into the postseason, Green has done the same, playing elite defense throughout the series. Poole is a legitimate star. Thompson is looking like one of the greatest shooters in NBA history again. Wiggins has seemingly accepted a lesser role.

Others Face Uncertainty

Golden State’s identity is clear. Their lack of size could prove a problem in some future matchups, and their defense has its weak points with Thompson not at the same level he once was on that end. After a turbulent second half of the regular year, though, the Dubs face a relatively straight forward set of circumstances in these playoffs.

The same cannot be said for the rest of the Western Conference. No other team has secured a place in the second round yet. While there was positive news about Devin Booker’s injury on Wednesday, it remains unclear how healthy he will be going forward.

ESPN Sources: Phoenix Suns All-Star G Devin Booker (hamstring strain) is progressing toward a return soon, including the possibility as soon as Game 6 or Game 7 of this playoff series vs. New Orleans. He’s expected to be initially listed as out for Thursday’s Game 6.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 27, 2022

Dallas and Memphis both hold 3-2 leads, but the Grizz will be considerable underdogs in a second round series with Golden State. The Mavs would have to get through the Suns and Warriors to make the Conference Finals – both teams will provide a far sterner test than Utah’s crumbling defense.

Boston is the strongest team in the Eastern Conference right now, but it remains unpredictable. The Celtics, Bucks and Heat all have a great chance at reaching the Finals, which is represented in the close Finals MVP odds for Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Warriors deserve to be title favorites. If they do add another ring in 2022, there’s no question that Curry will win Finals MVP. There will be no robbery like 2015 – Curry is not only the best player on the team, but there is a clear narrative to finally hand him the award that voters will lean on. Curry is good value at +440.