2011 NBA Finals MVP Odds
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
With game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami scheduled to get underway tonight in Miami, I wanted to take some time to go over the odds to win the 2011 Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
When you look at the rosters for the Mavericks and Heat, there is a lot of players who can step up and have a big game here and there, but there are only a few that appear to have a legit shot at coming away with award. One thing to keep in mind is that the only player to win the award as a member of the losing team is Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers back in 1969.
LeBron James, Miami (EVEN) – With the Heat listed as the favorites to win the series, it comes as no surprise that James is the odds on favorite to win the MVP. So far in the playoffs James is averaging 26 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game. What really makes him special offensively is his ability to take on a different role depending on what the Heat need to win a particular game. He is also one of the premier defensive players in the NBA, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Heat ask James to guard Dirk Nowitzki in the fourth quarter when the game is one the line.
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (+140) – Nowitzki is the only Dallas player listed with individual odds to win this award, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else on Dallas stepping up and taking on a bigger role. Nowitzki comes in averaging 28.4 points and 7.5 rebounds a game, and in most games during the postseason he has simply been unstoppable on the offensive end. Nowitzki has the ability to get his shot off on any defender, and also does a great job at drawing fouls and hitting his shots from the free throw line. While the Heat have three stars they can turn to, Nowitzki has to be at his best for Dallas to win this series.
Dwayne Wade, Miami (+500) – Wade is the only other player for Miami with odds to win this award. While the oddsmakers don’t seem to think he will be able to overshadow James, Wade definitely is in the mix. He is averaging 23.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists in the playoffs, and was the winner of the Bill Russell award back in 2006 when Miami won it all over the Mavericks. Wade is also one of the top defenders in the league, and could play a huge role late guarding Jason Terry.
Field (+700) – While it doesn’t appear likely that anyone outside of these three will win the award, there are a couple other players with an outside shot. Most notably Chris Bosh of Miami and Terry of the Mavericks. Bosh is averaging 18.6 points and 8.9 rebounds a game in the playoffs, and is coming off a monster series against the Bulls. Terry is the Mavericks second leading scorer at 17.3 points per game in the postseason. If James ends up guarding Nowitzki in the fourth quarter, it could be up to Terry to lead Dallas down the stretch.
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4 Responses to “2011 NBA Finals MVP Odds”
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Now the time has come, this is the much awaited match or a rematch from 2006 Finals. I can’t wait to watch this game now.
Very good match up. looking forward to game 2
i dont think that anybody thought that the mavericks were gonna make it to the finals after they found out that caron butler was out for the whole season, dirk was injured for some games, and the mavs were on that six game losing streak, but they didnt quit won 20 out of 21 games at one point and now they made it to the finals.im so excited for the coming NBA finals.thanks for sharing this.
The Heat played a .500 76ers team, a Boston team with a one-armed point guard and a Bulls team that struggled to score 80 points. The Mavs can defend James and Wade better than the Heat can defend Dirk.
Yes, i’m a HUGE homer and I feel like it’s time for the Mavs. No more heart breaks.
Mavs in 6. Dirk for Finals MVP.