- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA MVP frontrunner with -350 odds to win the award.
- Three-time winner Nikola Jokic has +200 odds to win MVP in his best season ever.
- With the Denver Nuggets winning more games as of late, Jokic’s ridiculous stats are worth a wager at +200 odds.
DENVER – We’re halfway through the 2024-2025 NBA season and the MVP award is already a two-man race. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is the legal sports betting favorite at -350, but three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is the best bet with +200 odds.
NBA MVP Odds
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander -350
- Nikola Jokic +200
- Giannis Antetokounmpo +8000
- Jayson Tatum +15000
- Victor Wembanyama +20000
- Donovan Mitchell +40000
- Anthony Edwards +50000
- Jalen Brunson +50000
- Karl Anthony-Towns +50000
Gilgeous-Alexander is the engine that’s driven the Thunder to the NBA’s best record of 37-8 and the league’s best NET rating at 12.3, all without their second-best player in Chet Holmgren. Shai leads the league in scoring with 32 points per game while also ranking second in the NBA for steals per game (2 spg).
The case for Shai is simple and he deserves to be the favorite for sports betting in Oklahoma City at -350 odds. However, his key advantage over Jokic is wins, and the Nuggets just so happen to be on a roll of 12 wins in their last 15 games.
Jokic Carrying Nuggets + Historic Averages = MVP (+200)
Nikola Jokic has been the best basketball player on the planet for the last five years, yet he’s just now having his best career season. The Joker is currently top-five in the NBA for points, rebounds, assists, three-point percentage, double-doubles, and triple-doubles.
He’s nearly averaging a 30-point triple-double and recently put up 35-22-17 stat line, the first 35-20-15 game since Wilt Chamberlain 57 years ago. Despite all these historical statistical achievements, Jokic has +200 odds at legal NBA betting sites to win the MVP.
SGA vs Jokic Stats Comparison (Per Game Averages)
Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Field Goal Percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 32.1 (1st) | 5.3 (69th) | 6.0 (22nd) | 52.8% (23rd) |
Nikola Jokic | 29.9 (3rd) | 13.1 (3rd) | 10.1 (2nd) | 56.7% (14th) |
Jokic’s impact on Denver’s success proves why he’s the MVP. The Nuggets generate 124.8 points per 100 possessions with Jokic on the floor, second in the NBA (Shai 11th) for players averaging 20+ minutes.
Denver’s offense rating crashes to 102.7 points per 100 possessions when Jokic is on the bench, even lower than the Washington Wizards NBA-low offensive rating. His efficiency yields +54 expected wins, 16 more wins than any other player, while Gilgeous-Alexander is at +22 wins.
Jokic will eventually be the favorite to win MVP as the Nuggets continue to win games, so take the +200 odds while they’re available.
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News tags: basketball | Denver Nuggets | MVP | NBA | Nikola Jokic | Oklahoma City Thunder | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Zach graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Writing, Editing, and Media. Zach is interested in the legalization aspect of sports betting and enjoys participating in DFS. He has a passion for sports writing and most enjoys writing about football and baseball both professional and collegiate.