NBA 2020/21: Player Awards Picks, Plays and Odds - The Home Stretch

The NBA Playoffs are somehow right around the corner and with a month to go until the regular season is over, most of the NBA player awards are still up for grabs.

From MVP to Sixth Man of the Year, we've gone through the betting odds and picked out three plays for each award that could have you cashing in big time come the end of the regular season.

The odds for the NBA MVP in particular have been all over the place, with at least five different players being regarded as the favorite at some point through the season.

As it stands, Nikola Jokic is the favorite for the NBA MVP award right now, which we will dive into below, along with the other major player awards.

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Odds thanks to BetMGM

Most Valuable Player 🏆

The Favorite

Nikola Jokic (5/8 or -160)

As above, The Joker is now the fifth favorite for the award this season, joining Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Joel Embiid.

Around a month ago, the three standouts were Jokic, LeBron and Embiid and with the latter two since missing time with injury, the Nuggets star has become the outright favorite. 

Although he is the rightful leader right now, there's not enough value around the passing big man, with the options below looking like smarter bets right now.

NBA News and Schedule

🚨 Value Bet 🚨

Joel Embiid (9/4 or +225)

The Process is back and boy, is he getting straight back into it.

After missing time through injury, Joel Embiid has returned and it's been immediately clear as to why he was the favorite for the award before being struck down.

Highlighted by the below game where he put up 36 points in just 26 minutes, the Cameroonian superstar looks like the most unstoppable player in the league right now and if he keeps this up, the MVP award should be his.

Dark Horse

Giannis Antetokounmpo (11/1 or +1100)

Rarely should a back-to-back holder of an award be considered an underdog but honestly, that's what has happened to Giannis.

Giannis' raw numbers are as good as ever, with averages of 29-11-6 as well as 1.1 steals per game and 1.3 blocks per game.

So why are his odds so much bigger than the above guys? Pretty much because of voter fatigue.

For Giannis to win his third straight MVP, his best chance will be the Bucks stealing first place in the East along with Jokic's productivity dropping off with partner in crime, Jamal Murray, out for the season.

And really, both of these things are still possible, so why not grab the +1100 odds on offer for the Greek Freak to make history? 

Rookie of the Year 👶

The Favorite

Anthony Edwards (10/11 or -110)

In our last two write ups for the NBA player awards, we put forward Ant as a dark horse play at +1000 and now here he is in outright favoritism. 

Although it happened due to LaMelo going down with a wrist injury, the number one pick's odds have still come in a long way with those sitting on futures tickets from over a month ago feeling extremely good right now.

Edwards is a highlight machine (see below) that continues to improve his numbers across the box score. LaMelo though is still a serious chance and at -110, Edwards isn't worth a play right now.

Value Bet

LaMelo Ball (21/10 or +210)

Tyrese Haliburton is unlucky not to feature in this write-up this time around, but the best value right now is undeniably LaMelo Ball.

In what is a shortened season with no other standout rookies (Ball has been far and away the most consistent), an injury may not be enough to stop LaMelo.

With the added chance of a return before season's end, Ball's odds likely won't get any longer than they are right now, making him the best value bet.

NBA Title Probabilities

Dark Horse

Immanuel Quickley (22/1 or +2200)

Quickley may be only averaging 11-2-2 this season but he's a big reason as to why Knicks fans are feeling hope again!

There's not much chance someone beyond the three favorites takes out this award, but the best dark horse shot is most certainly the NY guard.

Defensive Player of the Year ✋

The Favorite

Rudy Gobert (4/11 or -275)

The two-time DPOY winner (2018, 2019) is again the favorite for the award and has been for the majority of the season.

With the Utah Jazz sitting atop of the Western standings, it makes sense as to why the Frenchman is the betting favorite, but again, at these odds, he isn't worth a singles bet at this point.

NBA News and Schedule

 

🚨 Value bet 🚨

Ben Simmons (9/4 or +225)

When asked who the DPOY was, Simmons answered "[Gobert] guarded me in Utah … I had 42 and apparently I'm not a scorer. It is what it is, but I have a lot of respect for him. At the same time, I think it's mine this year."

Honestly, the above answer would be enough for us to bet Simmons, but add in the fact that his defense has gone to a whole new level and that he can guard 1 through 5 on the court and it makes for a compelling case.

Even at just +225, Ben Simmons is the best value bet you can make on the Defensive Player of the Year award right now!

Dark Horse

Giannis Antetokounmpo (30/1 or +3000)

The second time Giannis has appeared as a dark horse pick for an award he currently picks and at even tastier odds this time.

The Bucks superstar of course won both the MVP and DPOY last season and if some voters feel bad about not voting for him for MVP again this season, a second straight DPOY might make sense.

At +3000, this is a great bet for a man who can also guard every position on the court and is obviously a common recipient of player awards in the Association.

Sixth Man of the Year 6️⃣

The Favorite

Jordan Clarkson (1/11 or -1100)

Jordan Clarkson will win this award. It would be an absolute miracle for anyone else to take it out.

Interestingly, his team-mate Joe Ingles is the second favorite right now which is a testament to the Jazz's depth as they continue to push for the top seed in the West.

Value Bet

Jalen Brunson (9/1 or +900)

Although it seems extreeeeemely unlikely Clarkson doesn't win the award, if you're looking value, then Jalen Brunson could be your man.

The leader of the Mavs' second unit, Brunson is putting up solid numbers this season, in particular of late as the Mavs make a push for the top six as to avoid the play-in games!

 

Dark Horse

Chris Boucher (40/1 or +4000)

A proper dark horse pick here, Chris Boucher is averaging 12-6-1 this season and although that may not jump out, even Clarkson's numbers aren't that special.

If the Raps make a late season push for the playoffs, Boucher's stock will continue to rise, with his 6th man odds going in the opposite direction. One to watch.

Most Improved Player 📈

The Favorite

 

Julius Randle (1/2 or -200)

When the All-Star break came around, we put forward Julius Randle as our best player awards bet at +700 to win the Most Improved Player and bang, he's into -200!

Randle has taken his game to near-superstar level in New York this season and with the Knicks set to break back into the post-season, this award should be his.

 

Value Bet

Christian Wood (16/1 or +1600)

Christian Wood was a hot commodity in this award early on in the season but was unfortunately struck down by injury.

Since his return, the Rockets have struggled but his numbers have stayed solid.

If he can raise his productivity slightly, whilst bringing the Rockets are few dubs, he could find himself right back in the conversation with Randle and Jerami Grant.

Dark Horse

Zach LaVine (40/1 or +4000)

Zach Lavine has improved year-on-year since landing in the NBA but that doesn't mean he can't be the MOST improved any given season.

LaVine as become one of the best scorers in the NBA this season (see below) and honestly, it would upset no one if he came through and won this award.

A fun play at very long odds!

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