National Basketball Association

NBA odds: Finals MVP futures lines and picks

Updated Jun. 1, 2022 1:19 p.m. ET

The NBA playoffs are down to the final two teams as the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics will play in the NBA Finals.

Futures bettors have their eyes locked on potential winners of the Bill Russell Trophy, better known as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award.

Will the scintillating Steph Curry, owner of three championship rings, finally get his hands on the coveted Finals MVP trophy? Or will Jayson Tatum — playing in his third conference finals in his five-year career — earn it by leading his Celtics to their first title since 2008?

It doesn't take long for betting lines to shift in the Association. Let's take a look at the Finals MVP odds as we approach the end of the NBA’s 75th season (with all odds via FOX Bet).

Warriors to face Celtics in NBA Finals... without KD and Kyrie I THE HERD

After Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets, his former team reached the NBA Finals without him. The Warriors are facing Kyrie Irving's former team, the Boston Celtics, in the Finals. KD and Kyrie are coming off a disappointing season in Brooklyn, where they were swept in the first round by the now-Eastern Conference champion Celtics. Hear what Colin Cowherd has to say about KD and Kyrie not panning well in their divorces, including why he believes it is 'embarrassing.'

ODDS TO WIN 2022 NBA Finals MVP*

*odds as of 6/1/2022

As for how to bet the award, FOX Sports betting expert Jason McIntyre shares his insights below.

Golden State is now the overwhelming favorite to win the Larry O'Brien trophy, but there isn't much value left in that number. And, if you know me, I'm always looking ahead. This leads me to the NBA Finals MVP market.

There is only one player you can confidently bet to win the Finals MVP from Golden State — Stephen Curry (+100 at FOX Bet). Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole have been inconsistent the last two rounds. Curry has been their North Star in the playoffs, averaging 28 points per game against Denver (50/40/77 shooting splits), 26 points vs. Memphis (41/32/85) and 28 against Dallas through three games (48/47/85). Also, keep in mind that the only piece of NBA hardware he doesn’t have is a Finals MVP. This may sway voters if it's close at the end.

The problem could come against Boston, which matches up very well with the Warriors. If you are looking for a long shot to win the award, there may be value in betting Marcus Smart (+4000 at FOX Bet) to win the Finals MVP because he’s such a defensive pest and has the frame and length to give Curry problems.

Boston will also throw Jaylen Brown and Derrick White at Curry, and the Celtics will probably switch everything on the perimeter. The last time we saw a great defensive player steal the NBA Finals MVP was Andre Iguodala against LeBron James in 2015 (I still maintain Curry should have won that Finals MVP, and his stats back me up).

Jayson Tatum (+175 at FOX Bet) will be the other heavy favorite. … And if Andrew Wiggins thinks he has his hands full with Luka Doncic, wait until he goes up against Tatum, who is arguably the best 1-on-1 offensive player in the NBA. Wiggins has seen speed (Ja Morant) and skill (Doncic), but Tatum will be a combination of them.

Having dispatched Kevin Durant and Giannis, I think Tatum will probably average 30 points per game in the series and be the favorite after Curry to capture the award.

So if you like the Warriors to win it all, Curry is your choice. But if you think the Celtics can pull a small upset, I'd look at Tatum or Smart to get the most bang for your buck.

So how will the race shape up for these stars? Who do you like for Finals MVP? As usual, check out FOX Bet to place your wagers.

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