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With the 2021 NBA postseason beginning tonight, here are our 2021 NBA Finals MVP Picks with our odds, best bets, and predictions. Keep tabs on all of our sports betting picks throughout the NBA playoffs.
2021 NBA Finals MVP Picks: Odds, Predictions & Best Bets
Odds for 2021 NBA Finals MVP bets and predictions are listed courtesy of PointsBet. PointsBet is offering 2 Second-Chance Bets for up to $2,000 for new players. Sign up to claim this welcome promotion and place 2021 NBA playoffs futures bets during the NBA postseason.
2021 NBA Finals MVP Odds
- Kevin Durant, SF, Brooklyn Nets (+360)
- Kawhi Leonard, SF, Los Angeles Clippers (+600)
- LeBron James, SF, Los Angeles Lakers (+600)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Milwaukee Bucks (+850)
- Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers (+850)
- James Harden, SG, Brooklyn Nets (+900)
- Donovan Mitchell, SG, Utah Jazz (+1200)
- Kyrie Irving, PG, Brooklyn Nets (+1400)
- Paul George, SF, Los Angeles Clippers (+1800)
- Anthony Davis, PF, Los Angeles Lakers (+1800)
- Rudy Gobert, C, Utah Jazz (+1800)
- Devin Booker, SG, Phoenix Suns (+3000)
- Chris Paul, PG, Phoenix Suns (+3000)
- Nikola Jokić, C, Denver Nuggets (+3300)
- Luka Dončić, PG, Dallas Mavericks (+5000)
- Jimmy Butler, SF, Miami Heat (+5000)
- Ben Simmons, PG, Philadelphia 76ers (+5000)
- Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers (+5000)
2021 NBA Finals MVP Sleeper Bets
Anthony Davis (+1800)
The Lakers are still LeBron’s team, but age and injuries are starting to take their toll on King James. After missing 27 games with an ankle injury, it’s unclear whether the 36-year-old will be at 100 percent for the playoffs.
If James misses any additional time or has a more reduced role in the offense, that could open up the floor for Davis to emerge as Los Angeles’ top player. James is an exceptional passer, after all, and could be more of a facilitator if he’s unable to drive to the rim with his usual authority. That should create some great looks for Davis down low, where he can use his size to overpower defenders.
Davis excelled in the Lakers’ Finals victory last year, averaging 25.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the floor. If James still isn’t at full strength by then, Davis could absolutely take over and have a monster series.
Nikola Jokić (+3300)
The regular-season 2021 NBA MVP odds frontrunner is coming off a sensational campaign in which he averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. He was also highly efficient, knocking down 56.6 percent of his field-goal attempts and pacing the NBA in PER (31.3). His size, passing ability, and shooting skills make him a nightmare for defenders.
After spurring the Nuggets to a 47-25 record and the No. 3 seed, Jokić appears poised to lead them on a deep postseason run. The Nuggets finished the season in the top 10 for most points scored and fewest points allowed, making them one of the few elite teams on both sides of the ball. They’ll be a tough matchup for anyone, and I like their chances of going far this year.
Luka Dončić (+5000)
After three seasons, the 22-year-old point guard has already established himself as one of the best players in the game. Dončić is the engine that drives the Dallas offense, averaging 27.7 points, 8.6 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game this year while leading the Mavs to the same record (42-30) as the more talented Los Angeles Lakers.
Dončić doesn’t have a ton of help offensively beyond Kristaps Porziņģis, so the onus will be on him to keep producing throughout the playoffs. After leading the NBA in usage rate this season (36.0 percent), Dončić will be handling the ball a lot, which could result in some gaudy stat lines. Dončić is already fifth among active players in triple-doubles, so don’t be surprised if he has a few more in the postseason.
2021 NBA Finals MVP: Best Bet
Kevin Durant (+360)
This one is pretty simple; the Brooklyn Nets are the most talented team, and Durant is the best player on that team. Kyrie Irving and James Harden are exceptional as well, but neither has won Finals MVP. Durant has — twice — both while playing on similar superteams with Golden State. He’s already been there and done that, so there’s no reason to think he won’t do it again.
Thanks for reading our 2021 NBA Finals MVP Sleeper and Best Bet predictions! For more of The Game Day’s NBA postseason coverage, check our 2021 NBA Championship Picks.
