Steve Starr
- Go to BetOnline or Bovada for the latest 2023 NBA Finals MVP odds and series props
- Nikola Jokic is a -300 favorite for the award after averaging a triple-double in the postseason
- Game 1 of Nuggets vs Heat gets underway on Thursday, June 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Nikola Jokic is averaging an ungodly 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game in the postseason. With his Nuggets heavily favored to beat the Heat in the 2023 NBA Finals, is the two-time regular season NBA MVP a lock to add another trophy to his mantle?
Before we look at the latest award odds, make sure to check out our 2023 NBA Finals Betting Odds and our guide to betting on NBA basketball.
2023 NBA Finals MVP
| Player |  |
| Nikola Jokic | -300 |
| Jimmy Butler | +325 |
| Jamal Murray | +900 |
| Bam Adebayo | +2500 |
| Caleb Martin | +5000 |
Can Jokic be beat?
Nikola Jokic (-300) is an obvious favorite for NBA Finals MVP after leading his Nuggets to a 12-3 record this postseason. The triple-double machine averaged 28 points, 14.5 rebounds and 12 assists against Anthony Davis and the Lakers so there’s no reason to think Miami’s Bam Adebayo can stop him.
It’s also difficult to believe that his teammate Jamal Murray (+900) could win the award. The Canadian guard didn’t even receive a vote for Western Conference Finals MVP despite putting up 32.5 points, six rebounds and five assists per game to sweep Los Angeles.
Nikola Jokic is 17/27 when defended by Bam Adebayo & has a 73.2 TS% (!) vs MIA over the last 2 seasons. 40 PTS + 25 AST per 42min in those games & DEN went 4-0. Bam is one of the best defenders in the world, but Jokic is a matchup nightmare for smaller centers (and everyone else) pic.twitter.com/8Svr6EMfZ9
— Swoops (@PlaySwoops) May 30, 2023
Playoff Jimmy has entered the chat
Jimmy Butler (+325) is averaging 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.1 steals in the postseason. Oddsmakers have given the 33-year-old guard almost identical odds to win Finals MVP as the Heat have of winning the series (+330). Butler won Eastern Conference Finals MVP despite shooting only 40.2% in the series win over Boston.
Caleb Martin (+5000) probably deserved the honor after scoring in double figures in every game while shooting over 60% from the field and 48.9% from beyond the arc. The undrafted guard also registered 26 points and 10 rebounds in Monday’s Game 7 over the Celtics.
Nuggets vs Heat – Series Correct Score
| Series Correct Score |  |
| Denver Nuggets 4-1 | +225 |
| Denver Nuggets 4-3 | +330 |
| Denver Nuggets 4-2 | +450 |
| Denver Nuggets 4-0 | +500 |
| Miami Heat 4-2 | +750 |
| Miami Heat 4-3 | +1200 |
| Miami Heat 4-1 | +2200 |
| Miami Heat 4-0 | +3300 |
Denver favored in 5 games
Oddsmakers favor the Nuggets to defeat the Heat in five games (+225). Denver winning the 2023 NBA Finals in seven is next at +330 while 4-2 is at +450 and a four-game sweep is at +500.
As the first No. 8 seed to reach the NBA Finals in 24 years, Miami is not expected to score the upset. Erik Spoelstra’s club is at +750 to claim the championship in six games. If you think the Heat can win another Game 7 win on the road, that’s at +1200. A five-game series victory for the underdogs is at +2200 while a South Beach sweep is at +3300.
JIMMY BUTLER WINS ECF MVP 🏆 pic.twitter.com/EnXgtS2PS8
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 30, 2023
Best Bet
Many people have gone broke betting against the No. 8 seed Heat this postseason. Despite already defeating both Milwaukee and Boston, two teams that finished with a better regular-season record than the Nuggets, Miami is once again a heavy underdog in this series.
However, let’s go against consensus and pick Miami to win the championship in six games (+750) with Jimmy Butler as 2023 NBA Finals MVP (+325).
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
