NBA In-Season Tournament MVP Odds: Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo is Favored

Even avid NBA fans would admit viewing habits could be classified as casual prior to the league’s typically loaded Christmas Day schedule. 

So, the NBA came up with the In-Season Tournament in order to drum up some interest in early-season games. And even though we got some truly awful color-by-number jerseys and courts to match, we’ve seen some good action in the group play.

As we approach the knockout stage sportsbooks are giving us not just NBA In-Season Tournament odds, but also NBA In-Season Tournament MVP odds. Are the favorites to claim the award on their way to the first NBA Cup the usual suspects? Or does this new format allow other young stars to shine?

Let’s check in on the NBA odds for the In-Season Tournament MVP. If you're looking for more NBA futures action, be sure to also check out our NBA Finals odds!

2023 NBA In-Season Tournament MVP odds

Odds as of November 27, 2023.

NBA In-Season Tournament MVP favorites

Giannis Antetokounmpo (+450)

The Greek Freak an MVP favorite? No way! Jokes aside, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are starting to find their groove playing together, and it’s starting to show in these In-Season Tournament Games.  

The Milwaukee Bucks advanced to the knockout stage, winning the first three group stage games while putting up an impressive 123.7 points per game — winning by an average scoring margin of 13 points. To no one's surprise, Antetokounmpo has been the catalyst: He is averaging 23 points on 59% shooting while adding 8.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game over those first three outings.

Overall, the Bucks have won seven of their last eight and Giannis still looks like the best player on the planet at times. His skills can really shine and take over in a single-elimination format, so it’s no surprise to see him as the betting favorite to win the inaugural In-Season Tournament MVP. 

LeBron James (+550)

Doesn’t it feel like LeBron James just wants to win this thing to say it’s something else Michael Jordan doesn’t have? That aside, what James is doing in his 21st NBA season is nothing short of incredible.  

Now, it can be said the Los Angeles Lakers got a cakewalk of a group in this tournament, but LeBron & Co. have certainly taken advantage. L.A. swept its group-stage games, winning by an average scoring margin of a whopping 18.5 ppg. 

That’s the best mark in the tournament by a fair margin and LeBron is shouldering the brunt of the load. James is averaging 25 points 8.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists over those four In-Season Tournament games and you know if the Lakers can get to the final there will be those dying to give him another feather in his cap.

Pet="">NBA MVP Odds" removebranding="true" stylesheet="" host="https://www.covers.com">

Tyrese Haliburton (+700)

One of the joys of the In-Season Tournament is that a team like the Indiana Pacers can thrive. The Pacers' ridiculously high-octane offense has been on full display, winning all four of their group-stage games, and putting up a silly 136.5 ppg.

That offense is led by point guard Tyrese Haliburton who is having a breakout season. The 23-year-old is averaging 25.4 points, leads the NBA in assists at 12.1 per game, and is shooting 45.4% from 3-point range. During the tournament, those numbers have bumped up to 28.5 points, 13.5 assists, and 46.7% from three.

If a team like the Pacers is going to win the first NBA Cup, it’s because Haliburton balled out. This means he would be a more than deserving NBA In-Tournament MVP.

Understanding NBA In-Season Tournament MVP odds

Sportsbooks posted odds for the NBA In-Season Tournament MVP award at the beginning of the season in October. These odds have been adjusted throughout the season to reflect variables like strong play, steady improvement, and injuries. Sportsbooks have also adjusted the odds based on handle and liability to certain players.

NBA In-Season Tournament MVP odds usually look like this:

• LeBron James +500

This means that on a $100 bet, you'll stand to win $500 if James wins the In-Season Tournament MVP award. If it's close to the end of the tournament and the NBA has a particularly dominant player on an especially dominant team, you might see a minus sign (-) ahead of its odds. For instance:

• Kevin Durant -180

This means you have to bet $180 to win $100 on Durant winning the honor.

Above we have listed the American odds. However, these are easy to convert to decimal odds or fractional odds with our odds converter tool. And don't forget to check out our NBA forum if you're interested in chatting with other basketball bettors about NBA odds.