The NBA regular season is now fully underway, as certain teams begin to make their claim for the NBA Playoffs 2021. While many basketball fans are playing the week-in-week-out odds as the action unfolds, there are a variety of great prop betting options available at NBA betting sites.
Many of the major sportsbook providers offer futures prop betting markets, including awards such as Rookie of the Year and the NBA MVP 2021.
We’ll take a look at these odds and see what the odds look like for the top players, making picks with the best value possible. Our team of in-house NBA experts don’t miss a minute of the action and have given their views on how the season will go.
We’ll tip-off with the MVP odds, where an unstoppable LeBron James leads the charge at 4.50, followed by an entourage of the NBA’s very best talent. So, let’s get down to the brass tacks.
NBA Most Valuable Player 2021 Picks
The ‘Greek Freak’ Giannis Anteokounmpo now has his second straight MVP award, after averaging 29 points and 13 rebounds in 2020. Despite winning back-to-back awards, Giannis has managed to carry his team to an NBA title – will we see that in 2021?
Giannis would really silence the critics if he were to manage this feat. He sits at 14.00 to join Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird as the only players to ever be the Most Valuable Player 3 years in a row.
The Lakers have made another strong start in what looks like the most stacked Western Conference we’ve seen in some years. LeBron, as ever, is leading the charge producing some memorable performances already this season.
Another option is the young Slovenian Luka Doncic, who has been playing the usual Luka magic we’re becoming accustomed to in the NBA.
They have made a dismal start to the season and if Doncic is to get his hands on the award, his team will have to start playing better. While we know he can produce showstoppers like the buzzer-beater winner against the Clippers in the NBA Finals last year, he will need his Mavs to turn things around if they are to make it to that stage this year.
Take Luka Doncic to win it.
NBA Rookie of the Year 2021 Picks
The Grizzlies Ja Morant took home the award back in 2020, after putting on a number of domineering performances throughout the year. He was as low as 1.10 when we made our Rookie of the Year NBA free picks last year.
But, now the favorite comes in the form of Lamelo Ball, who is way out in front at odds of 1.80. It’s been a show so far this season, with LaMelo producing the kind of silky plays that will be passed around social media for years to come.
But, will LaMelo’s confidence in the court transfer into an award? He has talent like James Wiseman right behind him, who enters the race at 8.50, who is also playing alongside the likes of Draymond Green and Stephen Curry.
Over on the East coast, the Knicks have rookie Obi Toppin. While he certainly doesn’t have the team around him to propel himself to this award, he can certainly show his skills on the court and make enough of a difference to get a look in.
Aside from that, there is Patrick Williams of the Chicago Bulls and Tyrese Haliburton of the Sacramento Kings. The 6 foot 5” point guard stands at odds of 4.50 and is currently the second favorite to win the award. We feel this will be one-way traffic.
Pick LaMelo Ball to win.
Most Improved Player
It was Zion Williamson who grabbed all the headlines at the start of last season, but it was his teammate Brandon Ingram that took the plaudits. For the current season, it’s the Rockets Christian Wood who has the best odds at 2.25.
The loss of James Harden looked like it would leave Stephen Silas with a very hard job ahead. However, a number of players have stepped up to the plate, Victor Oladipo and Wood.
Wood is closely followed by the Detroit Pistons Jerami Grant, who has been in excellent form. Regardless of his impressive work on the court, the Pistons remain near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Elsewhere, we have Chris Boucher and Jaylen Brown, who enter the race at 12.00 and 15.00, respectively. Jaylen Brown has been going from strength-to-strength in recent years and this could be the year he gets the plaudits.
Pick Jerami Grant to win.
NBA Leading Scorer
Finally, we come to the NBA leading scorer award, which always seems so predictable but often catches bettors out. Will it be the former MVPs Durant or Curry on their return to the league?
Across all major sportsbook providers, it’s James Harden who starts out ahead of the pack at odds of 2.20. His move to the Nets has really put the earnest on his ability to put up points, as the expectancy of him to perform heightens.
He’s the clear favorite, with the second-place favorite Luka Doncic at 8.00. Luka is without a doubt one of the best players in the world and is often tasked with carrying his Mavericks alone, which means he racks up ridiculous figures week-in week-out.
The Hawks Trae Young continues where he finished off last season, dominating the floor in terms of points scored – he recently set an NBA record with the most threes scored in the fewest number of games.
Then there’s the Trail-Blazers talisman Damien Lillard, who continues to score win games in awe-inspiring fashion – he managed it once again scoring two threes to seal the win against the Rockets in recent weeks.
Pick James Harden to win.
Where to Bet on NBA Player Props?
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you. The ones listed below are reliable and offer many NBA prop bets odds.
