Steve Starr
- BetOnline has updated odds on the 2021 NBA Finals MVP race
- Giannis Antetokounmpo is a +125 favorite to win the award but his Bucks first need to advance past the Hawks and sharpshooter Trae Young (+1200)
- The Phoenix Suns have three MVP contenders in Devin Booker (+300), Chris Paul (+500), and Deandre Ayton (+2500)
NBA Finals MVPs are a who’s who of the greatest basketball players of all time. Michael Jordan has six, LeBron James has four, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neil have three apiece, and Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Hakeem Olajuwon all have two.
With injuries downing Leonard, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Anthony Davis during the 2021 NBA playoffs, the four teams remaining in this year’s postseason are not what anyone would’ve expected: the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns.
Does this mean there will also be a surprise winner of the NBA Finals MVP or will a historically great player claim the honor yet again? Let’s check out the latest award odds, and if you need any help or advice, review these tips for betting on basketball.
2021 NBA Finals MVP Odds
 |
|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +125 |
| Devin Booker | +300 |
| Chris Paul | +500 |
| Paul George | +750 |
| Khris Middleton | +1200 |
| Trae Young | +1200 |
| Deandre Ayton | +2500 |
| Jrue Holiday | +2500 |
Giannis is the NBA Finals MVP favorite
Despite putting up incredible numbers that were every bit as good as his back-to-back NBA MVP campaigns in 2019 and 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo was never considered for the award this year due to voter fatigue. However, as a +125 favorite to capture NBA Finals MVP, the Greek Freak may have the last laugh if Milwaukee can get past the Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals and defeat the Suns for the title.
Khris Middleton (+1200) and Jrue Holiday (+2500) are the other Bucks on the board. Middleton’s averaged 22.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists in the playoffs and Holiday has played lock-down defense while putting up strong offensive numbers. But, with the exception of Andre Iguodala being named Finals MVP for Golden State in 2015, it’s rare for a team’s best player not to claim the honor.
On this day in 2013:
With the 15th pick, the Milwaukee Bucks select…Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/U9Zb34KzXH
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 27, 2021
Trae Young (+1200) will almost certainly win NBA Finals MVP if Atlanta can pull off two more upsets. The 22-year-old has been the breakout star of the postseason, averaging over 25 points while eliminating the Knicks and the Sixers. If the Hawks can stun Milwaukee and reach the franchise’s first Finals in 47 years, Trae’s MVP odds will likely shorten to 2-to-1.
Which Sun will shine in the Finals?
Up 3-1 in their Western Conference Finals series, Phoenix is looking like a lock to advance to their first NBA Finals since Charles Barkley and company lost to Jordan’s Bulls in 1993. Devin Booker (+300) is the favorite to win MVP if the Suns claim the franchise’s first-ever championship, however, it’s worth noting that he’s struggled mightily with his shot since breaking his nose in Game 3 versus the Clippers and donning the “Rip Hamilton face mask.”
That could open the door for Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul (+500), who will soon be playing on basketball’s biggest stage for the first time in his 16-year career. The 36-year-old missed the first two games of the Conference Finals after testing positive for the coronavirus but assuming there are no lingering effects, the savvy veteran is a sharp bet for Finals MVP.
Devin Booker's an old soul, according to Chris Paul 😅 pic.twitter.com/Qd2Emdabyq
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 27, 2021
Deandre Ayton (+2500) converted a last-second alley-oop to secure a shocking Game 2 win over LAC and followed it up with a monster line of 19 points, 22 rebounds, and four blocks in Phoenix’s 84-80 Game 4 victory on Saturday. The third-year big man has averaged 16.6 points and 11.4 rebounds on 71 percent field goal shooting during his first-ever playoffs.
If he raises his game another level in the NBA Finals, he could be in the mix for Finals MVP.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
