Players like Ja Morant and DeMar DeRozan entering the MVP mix this season adds another layer of luster, due solely to the surprise factor — the former was +4500 preseason, the latter +7000.
But on Sunday night, Nikola Jokic reminded everyone who the reigning champ is.
The Nuggets star ripped off a triple-double to the tune of 46 points, 12 boards and 11 assists in an overtime win over the Pelicans, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in history to produce a 45-point triple-double on 70-percent shooting or better.
The banner night propelled Denver to its eighth win in the last nine outings — and Jokic, personally, to a gracious bump in the MVP betting market.
Updated NBA MVP Odds
*via BetMGM, as of March 7
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Joel Embiid | -115 |
| Nikola Jokic | +225 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +700 |
| Ja Morant | +1400 |
| DeMar DeRozan | +1400 |
| Stephen Curry | +2500 |
| Luka Doncic | +3000 |
| Devin Booker | +4000 |
| Kevin Durant | +10000 |
| LeBron James | +20000 |
| James Harden | +50000 |
| Donovan Mitchell | +50000 |
| Jimmy Butler | +50000 |
Jokic was previously priced +320 at BetMGM. He's getting the second-most tickets (14%) and third-most overall handle (13%) at the shop.
He's slowly but surely gaining ground on Joel Embiid, who still hasn't budged atop the board since taking over the top spot in late January.
Jokic became the first MVP in Nuggets franchise history last year en route to Denver earning the No. 3 seed in the West.
If there's any sort of silver lining to the Nuggets losing both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. for virtually the entire 2021-22 season, it's the reigning MVP going on his second-straight demolition.
He currently leads the team in points (25.8), rebounds (13.8), assists (8.0), FG% (57.1%), steals (1.4) and blocks (0.8) per game, among a bevy of categories.
Jokic has an opportunity to put up another gaudy stat line on the national stage Monday, as the Nuggets host the Warriors for the second of a back-to-back.
