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- Go to BetOnline or Bovada for the latest 2023 NBA Finals MVP odds
- Jayson Tatum (+175) is favored to win the award over Nikola Jokic (+250) and LeBron James (+500)
- Four teams remain in the NBA Playoffs with the Nuggets, Lakers, Heat and Celtics set to do battle
Betting on the NBA Finals MVP is no time to get cute with dark horses and longshots. With the exception of Andre Iguodala in 2015 and perhaps Tony Parker in 2007, the NBA champion’s best or second-best player has taken home the award every year for decades on end.
Before the start of the 2023 NBA Conference Finals, let’s look at the top Finals MVP contenders. You can also check out the latest 2023 NBA Playoff Betting Odds and our guide to betting on NBA basketball.
2023 NBA Finals MVP
| Finals MVP |  |  |
| Jayson Tatum | +175 | +160 |
| Nikola Jokic | +225 | +250 |
| LeBron James | +500 | +500 |
| Jaylen Brown | +600 | +500 |
| Anthony Davis | +750 | +650 |
| Jamal Murray | +1600 | +1500 |
| Jimmy Butler | +1800 | +1600 |
| Marcus Smart | +6000 | +7500 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | +7500 | +10000 |
| Bam Adebayo | +8000 | +8000 |
| Austin Reaves | +10000 | +10000 |
| D'Angelo Russell | +10000 | +10000 |
| Malcolm Brogdon | +10000 | +12500 |
| Robert Williams | +10000 | v |
| Al Horford | +12500 | +12500 |
| Aaron Gordon | +15000 | +20000 |
Jayson Tatum favored
Jayson Tatum is the favorite to win the 2023 NBA Finals MVP after erupting for 51 points — the most in a Game 7 in history —in Boston’s 112-88 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday. Tatum’s club is +110 chalk to capture the NBA Championship, ahead of the Nuggets (+225), Lakers (+290) and Heat (+1400). He is averaging 28.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists this postseason.
If you like the Celtics’ chances, Tatum’s teammate Jaylen Brown is also available at +600. The 26-year-old is averaging 24.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in the playoffs.
A LEGENDARY #PLAYOFFMODE PERFORMANCE.
51 points for Jayson Tatum.
The most EVER in a Game 7.
📺: Live on ABC pic.twitter.com/eseRSuDmT8
— NBA (@NBA) May 14, 2023
Nikola Jokic’s dominance
Nikola Jokic’s odds to capture Finals MVP (+250) are only slightly longer than his team’s title odds (+225). The two-time NBA regular-season MVP was unstoppable in Denver’s 4-2 series victory over Phoenix, averaging a triple-double of 34.5 points, 13.2 rebounds and 10.3 assists.
Jamal Murray (+1600) has been on fire throughout the playoffs with averages of 25.9, 6.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds. But, it’s hard to imagine the Nuggets winning the championship without their Serbian superstar being named MVP.
Jimmy Butler gets no respect
Jimmy Butler is a +1600 longshot to win Finals MVP despite leading all remaining players in the 2023 postseason with an average of 31.1 points per game. The 33-year-old is the first player in Heat franchise history to average over 30 points through his team’s first 10 games of the playoffs. Not even Dwayne Wade or LeBron James has accomplished that.
While Miami is a heavy underdog versus Boston, they took the Celtics to 7 games in the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals. Erik Spoelstra’s club also dispatched of Milwaukee, the NBA’s top regular-season team, in just five games in round one.
The Nuggets and Lakers haven't played since January 9, in a game without Anthony Davis or LeBron James 😳
What will happen in their conference finals series when it starts tomorrow?@YourManDevine with the breakdown ➡️ https://t.co/z5wnyY6tTf pic.twitter.com/GPBITu3KnK
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 15, 2023
Best Bet
LeBron James (+500) is seeking his fifth NBA Finals MVP. In closing out the Warriors in Game 6, he joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players 38 or older to put up at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists in a playoff contest. Anthony Davis (+750) has arguably been the Lakers best player through two rounds, averaging 21.2 points and 14.1 rebounds 3.3 blocks per game.
However, LeBron will be afforded extra rest days in the NBA Finals if L.A. can topple the Nuggets. In striking distance of his fifth NBA Championship, there’s no way that King James will let this golden opportunity pass him by.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
