The conversation around who can win NBA Finals MVP approaching the 2022 NBA Finals is surrounding whether or not Golden State point guard Steph Curry can win the award for the first time. Winning such an award shouldn’t do much to impact Curry’s legacy. Curry, a three-time champion, has helped lead Golden State to an unprecedented level of success.
Moreover, legendary Hall of Famer Jerry West only won one NBA championship during his career as a player that stretched from 1960-74 with the Los Angeles Lakers. West would win one championship, in 1972, but won his only Finals MVP award in a losing effort in 1969. When it comes to the 2022 finals, there are several Boston Celtics and a few Warriors who could win the award.
Here’s a look at where the best value is according to NBA betting odds.
Two clear favorites
There’s no denying that Curry, who is +100, and Tatum, who is +170, will be counted to be major contributors to their respective teams. Curry, who started the postseason off the bench to recover from an injury he sustained late in the season. Anyone who knows how to bet on NBA knew if Curry could get healthy he would again star in the postseason.
Curry has scored a team-high 25.9 points, handed out 6.2 assists and grabbed 4.9 rebounds during the Western Conference playoffs. He also has made 3.8 3-pointers per game.
Tatum has continued his emergence into a superstar. He leads the Celtics by averaging 27 points per game in the potseason. Tatum also contributes 6.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. In addition, Tatum has served as a defensive and emotional leader for Boston, which has had its share of injury issues in the playoffs. Betting stats NBA shows Tatum averaged a double-double in the two team’s regular-season meetings.
Brown could put up the numbers
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown has been Boston’s second-best scorer in the playoffs and is clearly Tatum’s chosen tag-team partner. Save for one clunker apiece in each of the Milwaukee and Miami series, Brown has played as consistently as good be expected from any player. He has averaged 22.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the postseason.
Brown, who is +1400, will need to really establish himself from Tatum to win the award. Tatum has been put up better numbers and has been better on defense. However, Brown is capable of scoring in bunches and could put up the numbers to steal it away.
Wiggins ready to make noise
Former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins has found a home in Golden State. The Warriors’ small forward is fourth on the team in postseason scoring by contributing 15.8 points per game. But Wiggins is able to contribute a lot besides just putting points on the scoreboard.
Wiggins has pulled down a team-high seven rebounds per game and averages nearly a steal and block per game. If Wiggins can pound the glass, play good defense and keep scoring, he is worth a look as a dark horse at +4000.
Big Al
Al Horford has had a strong postseason for the Celtics and is a mega longshot to win MVP at +10000. Horford, a traditional center in a world where they don’t exist anymore, has carved out a nice niche for himself during this postseason. During Boston’s 18 playoff games, Horford has averaged 11.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
If the Celtics can turn this playoff series into an ugly, defensive battle, this may be the type of series where Horford could steal the award if he can average a double-double and make splash plays on defense.
Betting prediction: Keep it simple, stupid
The NBA Finals MVP isn’t likely Super Bowl MVP. A flash in the plan who has one good game isn’t likely to walk away with the hardware. Having a series to accumulate stats usually leads to one of the star players running away with the award. Curry doesn’t have much left to prove in his NBA career.
Getting an NBA Finals MVP would silence some of his more outlandish critics. While betting even money isn’t sexy, Curry is the best option if Golden State is to win the series, as the Warriors are favored to do.
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