NBA MVP Race Intensifies: Who Will Take the Prize?
The competition for the NBA’s Regular Season Most Valuable Player (MVP) has become more intense in recent weeks. The two main favorites, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City and Nikola Jokic of Denver, are in a delicate situation due to a new NBA rule that could affect their eligibility.
Gilgeous-Alexander remains the favorite, but an abdominal injury has kept him off the courts. Jokic, for his part, has also had to miss several games.
Both players risk not being eligible for the award due to an NBA rule that prevents players who miss more than 17 games from being eligible for season awards.
Gilgeous-Alexander has already missed 11 games this season and will need to play in at least 16 of the remaining 22 games to be eligible for the MVP award.
Jokic, who has already been absent in 16 games, will not be eligible if he misses two more games.Uncertainty surrounding Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic has fueled interest in bets on other players.
Cade Cunningham, the point guard for the Detroit Pistons, has attracted more MVP bets on DraftKings Sportsbook than all other players combined in the last week, moving from 14-1 to 9-2.
Also, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics has seen an increase in the odds, going from 10-1 to 40-1 in recent weeks.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, with odds of 20-1, is also at risk of not meeting the NBA’s games played requirement, having missed 13 games this season.
Interest has also extended to Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers (100-1) and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves (250-1).
A survey conducted by specialized media indicates that Gilgeous-Alexander is the main option, if he meets the requirements.
