NBA 2020/21: Player Awards Updated Picks and Plays - All-Star Break

We're back with the latest update on every major NBA Player Award, where this is still some nice value on the board as we get through the All-Star break.

From MVP to Sixth Man of the Year, we've gone through the betting odds and picked out three plays for each award that could have you cashing in big time come the end of the regular season.

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Odds thanks to BetMGM.

Most Valuable Player 🏆

The favorite - LeBron James (5/2)

As we enter the All-Star Break, BetMGM has LeBron and Embiid as co-favorites for the MVP, but LeBron had been the outright favorite for a while before this week.

The four-time winner of the award is still getting it done in year 18, with there even being talk of LeBron making the All-Defensive team come the end of the season. 

In saying that, the Lakers haven't looked as good without AD of late which could impact LeBron's chances of winning the award as we can't see him winning unless his team finishes in the top three seeds.

NBA News and Schedule

🚨 Value bet - Joel Embiid (5/2) 🚨

It may seem strange that the equal favorite for the award is the best value play, but simply put, Joel Embiid should be the outright favorite. Every single night you can check the box score and see that he's putting up another 30 and 12, which combined with his defensive chops and team record, makes Embiid the current leader for the Most Valuable Player award.

We put Embiid forward as the value play when his odds were 11/2 and if you got those odds, you'll be sitting pretty right now!

The dark horse - James Harden (16/1)

Now, this one is interesting. James Harden leads the league in assists and is playing some unbelievable basketball in his new home.

At 16/1, the 2018 MVP is presenting great value, which you can hear more about in the latest episode of the Props and Hops Podcast!

🏆 JAMES HARDEN MVP? 🏆

Matt from @PropsAndHopsPod was joined by @VSiNLive's @meJVT to discuss the first half of the #NBA season where Jonathan made his case for James Harden as the MVP so far 🔥

Full podcast 👉 https://t.co/E6Mt3eWwGL#BrooklynTogether #NBAGambling pic.twitter.com/FDxzFhi05E

— Dimers.com (@DimersCom) March 4, 2021

Rookie of the Year 👶

The favorite - LaMelo Ball (1/5 or -500)

Since our last player awards update, LaMelo has gone to a whole new level, leading the Hornets into the seventh seed in the East, including playing a big role in wins over the Suns and Warriors.

It looks as though this award is Melo's to lose and it may only be injury that can stop him now. 

Value bet - Tyrese Haliburton (11/2)

As mentioned above, it would likely take something extraordinary to happen for LaMelo Ball but if (touch wood) the Hornets star does go down with an injury, Tyrese Haliburton will slot straight into favoritism for the award.

Haliburton has missed three games in a row heading into the break, but wth splits of 13-4-5, he has been super impressive and will likely only get better as the season progresses.

NBA Title Probabilities

The dark horse - Anthony Edwards (10/1)

Our three picks for the Rookie of the Year haven't changed since last month, with Anthony Edwards still the best dark horse play.

Comparisons to Dwyane Wade continue to fly in for Edwards and of all of the rookies in this class, he seems the most likely to explode in the second of the season and push LaMelo right up until the final game.

Defensive Player of the Year ✋

The favorite - Rudy Gobert (1/2 or -200)

Rudy Gobert has already won this award twice and with the Jazz sitting atop of the Western Conference standings, it's not hard to see why the sportsbooks have him installed as favorite. 

But in saying that, his odds are muuuuch too short and big games from direct opponents in Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid will last long in the memory of voters.

NBA News and Schedule

 

🚨 Value bet - Ben Simmons (5/2) 🚨

Our second alarm bells bet from the Sixers comes in the form of Australian, Ben Simmons. Simmons is one of the few players in the league that can defend every position to such a high level and similarly to Joel Embiid, his team record will help a lot.

Simmons will likely catch Rudy Gobert in terms of betting odds very soon, so jump on the 5/2 odd while you can!

The dark horse - Jamal Murray (250/1) via DraftKings Sportsbook

Hear us out. The NBA released their DPOY power rankings last week and believe it or not, Jamal Murray came up in fifth place! Now not every book is offering odds on the Nuggets guard, but at 250/1 with DraftKings Sportsbook, it's hard to not sprinkle a little pizza money on the man.

Sixth Man of the Year 6️⃣

The favorite - Jordan Clarkson (13/20)

The second Jazz player that comes in as favorite for an award, Jordan Clarkson has been a genuine walking bucket for Utaz this season.

Not only has Clarkson been really good, but a lack of other sixth men jumping off the page makes it seem like it'll be pretty hard for him to lose the award from here on in.

Value bet - Chris Boucher (10/1)

If you're keen to look beyond Clarkson though, then the first man you need to cast an eye over is Chris Boucher. Boucher has jumped up this season (and is also in the running for Most Improved) and will play a big part in the Raps' push for a high seed in the second half of the season.

The dark horse - Derrick Rose (40/1)

We put forward D-Rose at these same odds last month, and he hasn't disappointed in his return to NY yet. The Knicks are pushing for their first playoff appearance since 2013 and the Rose's minutes off the bench will only become more and more vital down the stretch. 

The 2011 MVP is averaging 13-3-5 since making the move back to New York and could easily find himself in the discussion if those numbers grow as the buzz around the Knicks does also.

Most Improved Player 📈

The favorite - Jerami Grant (10/21)

Jerami Grant has been favorite for this one ever since Christian Wood went down with an injury. The former Nuggets man has taken over the Detroit lineup, with averages of 23-5-3.

Grant is rightfully the favorite for this award, with the one thing holding him back being team record, which is one of the key reasons we like the guy right below! 

🚨 Value bet - Julius Randle (7/1) 🚨

The Knicks are the five seed. Yep, New York basketball might be back (touch wood) and along with impressive coaching from Tom Thibodeau, a big part in the rise of the Knicks is Julius Randle. 

Randle is averaging 23-11-6 this season, which is a big jump on last season averages of 19-10-3, in particular his assist numbers doubling! If the Knicks remain in the top six or so seeds, Randle will be the hot favorite to take out this award come season's end.

The dark horse - Zach LaVine (19/1)

Our final suggested play heading into the All-Star Break is for Zach LaVine to win the Most Improved Player award at long odds. LaVine has improved every season he's been in the NBA and 2020/21 is no different!

Averaging almost 30 points a game means that LaVine is right in the conversation with the best scorers in the league which will likely see his odds slashed in the next few weeks.

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