That NBA Playoffs are up to the last two teams as the Warriors of the Golden State and Boston Celtics will play in the NBA Finals.
Futures bettors have their eyes on potential winners of the Bill Russell Trophy, better known as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
Will the scintillating Steph Curry, owner of three championship rings, finally get his hands on the coveted Finals MVP trophy? Or will Jayson Tatum – playing in his third conference final in a five-year career – earn it by leading his Celtics to their first title since 2008?
It doesn’t take long for the betting lines to shift across the association. Let’s take a look at Finals MVP odds as we near the end of the NBA’s 75th season (with all odds over FOX bet).
Warriors take on Celtics in NBA Finals…without KD and Kyrie I THE HERD
After Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets, his former team reached the NBA Finals without him. The Warriors will meet Kyrie Irving’s former team, the Boston Celtics, in the finals. KD and Kyrie both had a disappointing season in Brooklyn, where they were defeated in the first round by the current Eastern Conference champions, the Celtics. Hear what Colin Cowherd has to say about KD and Kyrie’s struggling divorce and why he thinks it’s “embarrassing.”
2022 NBA Finals MVP OPPORTUNITIES*
Stephen Curry: +100 (Wager $10 to win $21 total)
Jayson Tatum: +175 (Wager $10 to win $27.50 in total)
Jaylen Brown: +1000 (Wager $10 to win $110 total)
Draymond Green: +1400 (Wager $10 to win $150 total)
Clay Thompson: +1500 (Wager $10 to win a total of $160)
Jordan Poole: +2500 (Wager $10 to win $260 total)
Markus Smart: +4000 (Wager $10 to win $410 total)
Andrew Wiggins: +4000 (Wager $10 to win $410 total)
Al Horford: +10000 (Wager $10 to win $1,010 in total)
Robert Williams III: +20000 (Wager $10 to win $2,010 in total)
Andre Iguodola; +20000 (Wager $10 to win $2,010 in total)
*Rates as of 5/31/2022
How to bet the award, FOX sports betting expert Jason McIntyre shares his insights below.
Golden State is now the overwhelming favorite to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but that number doesn’t mean much anymore. And if you know me, I’m always looking ahead. Which brings me to the NBA Finals MVP market.
There’s only one player you can confidently bet on to win Golden State’s Finals MVP – Stephen Curry (+100 on FOX Bet). Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole have been inconsistent in the last two rounds. Curry was their North Star in the playoffs, averaging 28 points per game against Denver (50/40/77 shooting splits), 26 points against Memphis (41/32/85), and 28 against Dallas in three games (48/47/85). ). Also remember that the only piece of NBA hardware he doesn’t have is a Finals MVP. This can sway voters if things get close at the end.
The problem could come against Boston, who fit very well with the Warriors. If you’re looking for a long shot to win the award, it can make sense to back Marcus Smart (+4000 at FOX Bet) to win Finals MVP because he’s such a defensive nuisance and has the frame and has the length to cause problems for curry.
Boston will also toss Jaylen Brown and Derrick White at Curry, and the Celtics will likely switch everything up on the sidelines. The last time we saw a great defensive player steal the NBA Finals MVP was Andre Iguodala vs LeBron James in 2015 (I still think Curry should have won that Finals MVP and his stats back it up me).
Jayson Tatum (+175 on FOX Bet) will be the other strong favorite. … And if Andrew Wiggins thinks he has his hands full with Luka Doncic, wait until he takes on Tatum, who is arguably the best 1-on-1 offensive player in the NBA. Wiggins has seen speed (Ja Morant) and skill (Doncic) but Tatum will be a combination of both.
After eliminating Kevin Durant and Giannis, I think Tatum will likely be averaging 30 points per game on the series and be the favorite after Curry to win the award.
So if you want the Warriors to win it all, Curry is your pick. But if you think the Celtics can pull off a little surprise, I’d look at Tatum or Smart to get the best bang for your buck.
How will the race unfold for these stars? Who do you like as Finals MVP? Drop by as usual FOX bet to place your bets.
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