The 2020-21 NBA Finals are firmly underway as the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns are facing off for championship glory. While it’s always exciting to see which team will hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy, it’s also fun to see who’ll be named the NBA Finals MVP.
With that being said, BetOnline has released its NBA Finals MVP odds and they’re currently favoring Phoenix Suns PG Chris Paul to win the award at -210 odds. Even though the 11-time all-star has been around the league for 16 seasons, this is his first time reaching the finals, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he’s going to do what he can to secure a championship.
Paul has looked a lot younger than 36 years old throughout the postseason, averaging 19.0 PPG/3.9 RPG/8.7 APG in 15 games played. He’s also come up with some clutch performances, including a series-clinching 41-point night against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Paul even started off the finals in style, finishing Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks with 32 points and 9 assists. It’s clear that the ‘Point God’ is on another level right now and it’s going to take a lot to stop him from not only winning his first championship but also the NBA Finals MVP trophy.
2020-21 NBA Finals MVP Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Thursday, July 8
- Chris Paul (-210)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (+325)
- Devin Booker (+385)
- Khris Middleton (+1200)
- Deandre Ayton (+2000)
- Jrue Holiday (+6600)
Antetokounmpo Leads the Bucks
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has the second-best odds (+325) to be named the NBA Finals MVP this year. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially considering how the five-time all-star was one of the favorites to win the award even in the earlier rounds of the 2020-21 NBA Playoffs. Nevertheless, Antetokounmpo is having his best postseason to date as he averages 27.7 PPG/12.9 RPG/5.1 APG. Even though Milwaukee has a solid team, there’s no doubt that they wouldn’t be where they are had it not been for Antetokounmpo.
With that being said, it might be tough for the two-time regular season most valuable player to be named NBA Finals MVP if he’s not 100%. Even though he played in Game 1 of the finals, Antetokounmpo clearly isn’t his regular self following a knee injury he sustained against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals. He’s still a world-class player, however, it’s going to be hard for him to single-handedly win games for the Bucks when he’s not at the top of his game. Still, you can never count Antetokounmpo out because he’s that type of talent. If anyone can find a way to win the NBA Finals MVP award with a bad knee, it’s him.
Booker has a Shot at Winning NBA Finals MVP
Even though he’s just 24 years old and this is his first-ever postseason, Devin Booker has +385 to win NBA Finals MVP should the Suns walk away with a championship. Like Paul, Booker has been one of the main players who helped Phoenix make it to its first finals in nearly 30 years. He’s averaged 27.0 PPG on a team-high 20.7 field goal attempts per game throughout the playoffs. When Booker is on his game, he’s one of the most lethal shooters in the NBA.
At the same time, Booker has to stay consistent if he wants to keep his name in the conversation. He’s shot worse than 30.0% from the 3-point line in 10 of the 17 postseason games he’s played in on this playoff run. If he continues being that inconsistent, it’s going to be a lot tougher to prove why he deserves the award over a guy like Paul if the Suns win the championship.
