NBA 2020/21: Player Awards Updated Picks and Plays

The NBA season is over one month in and the race for each major player award is heating up! 

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.

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All odds thanks to BetMGM.

Most Valuable Player 🏆

The favorite - LeBron James (5/2)

You've heard it a hundred times, but yes, he is in year 18 (!!) and the things he is doing are not normal! If the Lakers finish in the top two seeds and LeBron remains healthy, it looks likely that he will become the oldest ever winner of the MVP award.

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The value bet - Joel Embiid (11/2)

Joel Embiid has taken the leap. Long regarded as a potential MVP winner if he got in shape, Embiid has done just that and with averages of 29-11-3, a strong defensive presence and a better team record than Jokic's Nuggets, he's definitely the next best chance after LeBron right now.

The dark horse - Steph Curry (12/1)

Steph's doing Steph things. At the time of writing, he's averaging 37-5-5 over his last five games and has helped lead the Warriors to a 13-12 record, seeing them sit in a playoff position and moving up. If the Warriors can push into the top four seeds in the West, Steph will be an immediate favorite for the award considering his supporting cast.

Rookie of the Year 👶

The favorite - LaMelo Ball (1/3)

LaMelo took a while to break into the starting five at Charlotte, but boy, was he worth the wait. Not only is he a highlights machine, he's also contributing to winning basketball, forming a solid offensive partnership with Gordon Hayward. If Melo keeps going on the trajectory he has so far this season, it'll be very hard to vote against him for ROTY.

The value bet - Tyrese Haliburton (4/1)

He may not have the flashy highlights that Melo has, but Tyrese Haliburton has been getting it done on a nightly basis for the Kings. Forming a killer guard trio with De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield, Haliburton has played a major role in Sacramento's recent run where they've won seven of their last nine at the time of writing. If the Kings push into a playoff spot, Haliburton will very much make a race of this!

NBA Title Probabilities

The dark horse - Anthony Edwards (10/1)

Edwards of course went number one in the draft and although the hype has been since subdued around him, he continues to get better and has now got his points per game up to 14, with back-to-back 20-point showings. Another who can feature in the highlight reels, Edwards is sure to get people talking as the season goes on.

Defensive Player of the Year ✋

The favorite - Rudy Gobert (5/4)

Gobert is already a two-time recipient of the DPOY award, having claimed the title in both 2018 and 2019. With the Jazz currently holding the best record in the NBA, it's clear that Gobert's defense has been on point for most of the season!

The value bet - Ben Simmons (14/1)

One of few players that can guard every position on the court, Ben Simmons defensive prowess can not be understated. The Sixers' best player this year has definitely been the above-mentioned Embiid but Simmons' ability to slow down opponents has gone a long way to Philly sitting atop the Eastern Conference and if they remain there, his 14/1 odds won't last long! 

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The dark horse - Kawhi Leonard (66/1)

Another two-time recipient of the DPOY award, The Klaw has been quietly going about his business this year, helping the Clippers to the third best record in the West. Both Kawhi and PG have been putting up great numbers offensively, but Kawhi's defense has been as strong as ever, making his 66/1 odds seem crazy!

Sixth Man of the Year 6️⃣

The favorite - Jordan Clarkson (13/20)

The second award favorite from the Jazz, Jordan Clarkson has taken his game to a whole new level this season, leading what has been an impressive second unit, averaging 17.4 points per game. If the Jazz keep this up, there doesn't seem to be any immediate threats to Clarkson's claim on the award.

The value bet - Shake Milton (16/1)

The Sixers are getting a good run in this piece, but at 18-7 on the season, it's for very good reason. Embiid and Simmons may be leading the line for Philly, but the improvement from bench player Shake Milton has been very important. If he can increase his stats whilst the Sixers maintain their overall record, he will be in with a shout come season's end.

The dark horse - Derrick Rose (40/1)

Fan favorite D-Rose has made the move back to NY and it could present him with a huge chance to get back on the list of award winners after becoming the youngest ever MVP back in 2011. Rose will play a mentor role to young Knicks such as Immanuel Quickley and if he can increase both Quickley's and his own productivity under Coach Thibs, the 40/1 odds will come crashing down.

Most Improved Player 📈

The favorite - Jerami Grant (7/10)

Long seen as a defensive specialist on the Denver Nuggets, Jerami Grant decided to bet on himself in the off-season and it's paid off in spades. The Pistons may not have the best record in the league, but that is by no means down to Grant who is putting up 25-6-3 per game, after averaging 12-4-1 last season.

The value bet - Jaylen Brown (5/1)

A steady improver year-on-year, Celtics' wing Jaylen Brown has turned into a bonafide star of the league this season, forming one of the strongest one-two punches in the league with Jayson Tatum. Putting up a ridiculous 26.7 points per game, Brown is a huge chance to take out this award if Grant slows down his production.

NBA Title Probabilities

The dark horse - Collin Sexton (19/1)

The Young Bull is another young gun that has upped his points per game in a significant manner, posting 23.6 per outing so far this season. If the Cavs can remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, Sexton will find himself on a lot of ballots when it comes time to vote on the Most Improved Player at the end of the season.

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