NBA MVP Odds: BetMGM Gamblers Hop Aboard Nikola Jokic’s Three-Peat Bid

As Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic surges toward a third-straight NBA MVP award, bettors move right with him into the All-Star break.

Jokic’s torrid February stretch — headlined by a slew of triple-doubles — propelled him from -115 to the emphatic-chalk realm of -165 for the sportsbook’s NBA MVP odds in the past week.

Jokic is making the definitive move MVP award winners compile en route to claiming the prize.

Gamblers who took him at +900 to open the season may seize a magical gain at the end of the season. A three-peat at these odds?

Odds To Win 2022-23 NBA MVP Award: Jokic Favored

In the middle of February, here is an updated look at Jokic’s place in the betting picture. It is always recommended to shop around various sportsbooks to find the best prices for your bets and to take advantage of the best betting promos available in 2023.

2022-23 NBA Regular Season MVP Facts

Highest Ticket: Luka Doncic, 17.8%
Highest Handle: Nikola Jokic, 26.2%
Biggest Liability: Nikola Jokic
Odds Leader: Nikola Jokic (-165)

Putting Nikola Jokic’s Season in Context

As the second half of February dawns, Jokic is a human triple-double.

His year-long averages of 24.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 10.1 assists put him in rarified air.

Jokic has the chance to secure a season-long triple-double average, which would make him only the third player in NBA history to do so.

Oscar Robertson did it in 1961-62 and Russell Westbrook nailed this feat four times between 2016-21. For these guards, rebound totals were the elusive stat to reach a triple-double.

For Jokic, it will be the assists, which he checked in at 10.1 per game in mid-February.

Gamblers have ridden the Jokic money train all year. His 24.9 points per game has been a solid wager in point-scoring props. So has his 11.4 rebounds per game.

The 6-foot-11 big man not only gets points inside — as expected — but unexpectedly shows the outside touch of a shooting guard.

One play illustrates the depth of his magical campaign.

Jokic hit an insane game-winning three-pointer to give Denver a victory over the Orlando Magic last month. With the game tied in the final seconds, the Nuggets did not use a lob toss down low to get him an easy bucket or to the foul line.

They got him the ball outside. He then stepped back behind the three-point line and launched a velvet-touch, buzzer-beating rainbow. Nothing but net from a player just under seven feet.

Here’s how Jokic is fattening the wallets of his supporters in February:

Feb. 2 vs. Golden State Warriors: 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 16 assists

Feb. 4 vs. Atlanta Hawks: 14 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists

Feb. 7 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 16 assists

Feb. 9 @ Orlando Magic: 29 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists (only a double-double)

Feb. 11 @ Charlotte Hornets: 30 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists

Feb. 13 @ Miami Heat: 27 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists (only a double-double)

He also enriched spread bettors as Denver went 5-2 against the line, and he helped the Nuggets go 4-2-1 on the Over.

Jokic did not play on Feb. 5, the second of back-to-back games on consecutive nights.

Betting Other Players at Good Value

The Jokic tear has increased the betting odds of competitors, who represent an opportunity to buy on the dip.

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks opened at +500, was at +700 last week, and has gone to +1000. That’s a sweet payoff for the player who is tied for the league scoring lead at 33.2 points with Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. Doncic also averages 8.9 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game.

Two factors beyond Jokic influenced Doncic’s rising price.

First, Doncic missed a couple of games with a heel injury this month.

Second, Doncic must stylistically adjust to Kyrie Irving, whom the Mavs recently traded for.

Personnel adjustments impact production, but the two finally had their best game together this past Monday, with Irving notching 36 points and Doncic 33.

Embiid hit mid-February at +350, up from +300 last week. He opened the campaign at +500.

Embiid is always in the running and was chalk late last season before fading. He has just over 33 points and 10 rebounds, but just four assists per game.

Gamblers must assess the impact of Embiid being rested late in the year, as the Sixers preserve him for the postseason.

Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks holds steady at +700 with strong stats of 32.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. He won the MVP award in 2019 and 2020.

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics stands at +1600 with numbers of 30.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.

There is just over a quarter of the regular season remaining. These players still have time to make a move.

Here are some other major categories and betting performances at BetMGM.

2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year Award Facts

Highest Ticket: Jaden Ivey, 23.3%
Highest Handle: Paolo Banchero, 52.3%
Biggest Liability: Keegan Murray
Odds Leader: Paolo Banchero (-2000)

2022-23 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award Facts

Highest Ticket: Jordan Poole and Malcolm Brogdon, 16.4%
Highest Handle: Malcolm Brogdon, 42.1%
Biggest Liability: Malcolm Brogdon
Odds Leader: Malcolm Brogdon (-150)

2022-23 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year Award Facts

Highest Ticket: Zion Williamson, 12.1%
Highest Handle: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 22.8%
Biggest Liability: Zion Williamson
Odds Leader: Lauri Markkanen and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+125)

2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award Facts

Highest Ticket: Jaren Jackson Jr., 11.6%
Highest Handle: Jaren Jackson Jr., 19.3%
Biggest Liability: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Odds Leader: Jaren Jackson Jr. (-200)

2022-23 NBA Coach of the Year Award Facts (Currently off the Board)

Highest Ticket: Willie Green, 24.9%
Highest Handle: Joe Mazzulla, 31.5%
Biggest Liability: Willie Green