Bettors, how are your preseason NBA wagers looking?
The league’s parity is surprisingly monumental with almost a third of the 2022-23 season nearing completion. And whether it be to injuries or teams simply under and over-performing, there’s a good chance the developments thus far have already made a bunch of bet slips look rather foolish.
But the good thing about betting is that there’s usually always a time to try again if you’re willing to spend.
Looking at the awards races, there’s been a lot of movement from opening to now. Let this list of odds leaders serve as a refresher of where things currently stand in the NBA.
Bet accordingly.
MVP
1) Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics (+275) opened +1400
If you’ve paid attention to the NBA this season, Tatum having the shortest MVP odds should come as no surprise. He’s led the Celtics to the best record in the league (21-5) and is rivaling the all-time greats with some of his individual performances.
2) Luka Doncic – Sacramento Kings (+300) opened +500
Doncic doesn’t feel like the league MVP. To be fair, this opinion of mine doesn’t have anything to do with the player as much as it has to do with the team. But in a muddled Western Conference, Luka could become an award finalist if the Mavs can end in the top half of the conference standings.
3) Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks (+300) opened +700
It’s Giannis — the same former two-time league MVP (2019,2020). He’s still doing freakish things on the basketball court and the Bucks remain elite because of it. It’s been a while now since he claimed his last MVP award, so perhaps voter fatigue is in the past. Betting on him wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Rookie of the Year
1) Paolo Banchero – Orlando Magic (-450) opened +300
While he might not be everyone’s leader in the actual ROTY race, there’s no denying he’s at least in the conversation. And a couple of months from now it might be obvious that this is Paolo’s award come the end of the season.
2) Bennedict Mathurin (+300) opened +1200
If the season ended today, he’d be my choice for ROTY, but there’s a lot of basketball left to be played.
3) Jaden Ivey (+3000) opened +600
Respectfully, this is a two-person race at the moment. However, buy the dip in Ivey’s odds if you think he can make up ground.
Coach of the Year
1) Joe Mazzulla – Boston Celtics (+150) opened +1200
Mazzulla was asked to come in at the last minute and take over a championship runner-up. That’s a lot of pressure for a first-time head coach, but he’s delivered above and beyond expectations.
2) Willie Green – New Orleans Pelicans (+550) opened +1400
Remember everyone saying the Pelicans are the dark horse team to come out of the Western Conference? Well, they currently are atop the conference standings and Willie Green’s management of injuries and rotations is a big reason why.
3) Will Hardy – Utah Jazz (+550) opened +4000
If the Jazz were still leading the Qest, as they were a couple of weeks ago, this would be Hardy’s award to lose. But you are only betting on him to win this award if you think the Jazz don’t slowly start dropping off and eventually tank.
Defensive Players of the Year
1) Brook Lopez – Milwaukee Bucks (+105) opened +50000
If Lopez does win this award, anyone who placed money on him during the preseason will be a lot richer.
2) Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks (+600) opened +850
While Lopez has the shorter odds, Giannis could very easily be considered the best defender on this team and even the best in the NBA. Make of that what you will.
3) OG Anunoby – Toronto Raptors (+600) opened +12500
It’s hard to imagine Anunoby being a finalist for this award considering the Raptors probably don’t have the team success that a DPOY winner usually needs. But recognizing him for how phenomenal he’s been on the defensive end so far as an individual is fine.
Sixth Man of the Year
1) Russell Westbrook – Los Angeles Lakers (+200) opened N/A
At the time these odds for awards opened, Russell Westbrook coming off the bench was an afterthought. However, he’s bought in and is playing his best basketball since joining the Lakers. Being in the Los Angeles market and playing for the purple and gold surely boosts his resume, so don’t feel shy about wagering on Russ to win this award.
2) Jordan Poole – Golden State Warriors (+300) opened +500
I guess Jordan Poole has been okay lately? The Warriors are still underachieving largely due to how bad their bench has been, so maybe awarding a guy who’s a part of the struggles isn’t what’ll happen in the long run.
3) Malcolm Brogdon – Boston Celtics (+450) opened +1100
It was always going to be about health when predicting Brogdon’s impact on the C’s. If healthy, he was always going to be an essential piece to their puzzle. Guess what? He’s stayed healthy.
Most Improved Player of the Year
1) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – OKC Thunder (-135) opened +1800
Go ahead and give him the award now.
2) Tyrese Haliburton – Indiana Pacers (+450) opened +1800
Well, wait a minute. It’s SGA’s award to lose, but if the Thunder decide to tank or shut their players down as they usually do, Tyrese Haliburton is next in line to take the MIP, in my opinion.
3) Lauri Markkanen – Utah Jazz (+600) opened N/A
Markkanen’s game has taken another step, on now his third NBA team. I was pushing for all-star agenda early in the season, although the narrative around him might go as the Utah Jazz do.
