Leading this week, the war for the most sensitive spots in the West between Oklahoma City and Denver will logically be factored into determining the final results of the 2023-24 Kia MVP race.
However, that’s probably not the case, if you overlook the recent movements in the betting markets.
Although the Thunder and Nuggets are necessarily stuck at the top level of the Western Conference standings after Thursday’s games, two-time MVP Nikola Jokic remains a front-line favorite, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the second-best odds.
So even if it looks like a possible leak, let’s keep in mind that there are 23 games left before the end of the regular season.
What’s disappointing, however, is that we may not see those teams reunite in the normal season for a final showdown of the candidates. After losing to the defending champions 128-95 on Oct. 29, the Thunder won three times against the Nuggets. to win the series.
Gilgeous-Alexander played in all four games, averaging 26. 5 points per game on 44. 9% shooting from the box with 5. 3 rebounds, 5. 8 assists, 1. 5 steals and 1. 3 turnovers per game. Jokic competed in three of those competitions and averaged 23. 7 points. consistent with gameplay (70. 7% shooting) with 10 RPG, 8 APG, 1 SPG, and 4. 7 GPT.
One statistic to know: four: the number of games this season. Jokic recorded more than 35 problems with more than 15 rebounds, including Giannis Antetokounmpo (who has five of those games).
What they say: “It’s amazing to be able to talk to guys who have done amazing things. It’s humbling because they laid the groundwork for me to play my game. “Gilgeous-Alexander after becoming the 13th player in NBA history to score more than 30 numbers in 50 games in a season.
The good: Meet Luka Doncic. The superstar goaltender is tied with Antetokounmpo for third after leading Dallas to its seventh win in its last eight appearances on Thursday. Doncic dealt out 8 dimes in a game where the Mavs shook the rim for 18 dunks to set a new franchise record in a single game.
Follow the evolution of our MVP ratings for the season.
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 26. 1 points per game, 12. 3 RPGs, nine apps
His case: maybe Jokic has eyes in the back of his head. As long as the 29-year-old continues to post triple-doubles like the one he achieved Thursday in a quality win over the Knicks, he’ll still be way ahead of the pack that he couldn’t possibly see him in the rearview mirror anyway.
The 30-14-11 performance against New York snapped the Knicks’ four-game winning streak and followed a 35-point, rebounding gem in a road win at Minnesota.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 30. 9 things per game, 5. 6 RPGs, 6. 4 things per game
His case: He extended his franchise record from 30 points Wednesday to an NBA-high 50 with 31 points against Utah. The 25-year-old scored 20 of those points in the second phase as Oklahoma City won its third straight and 13th in its last 16 starts.
A three-game road trip that began Friday in Toronto, followed by games in Milwaukee and New Orleans that deserve to test the young team’s mettle as they fight to remain atop the Western Conference.
T-3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 30. 7 things per game, 11. 2 RPGs, 6. 4 things per game
His case: Antetokounmpo appears to be wasting ground after missing two games with a left hamstring issue. The 29-year-old returned Thursday and contributed to Milwaukee’s 115-108 win over Brooklyn.
He scored 21 points with rebounds and five assists in the win. But the Bucks lately are taking advantage of the good hand of Damian Lillard, who has averaged 31 points and 11. 3 assists in the team’s last three outings.
T-3. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last week’s standings: nº4
Season stats: 34. 1 problems per game, nine RPGs, 9. 8 problems per game
Case in point: Doncic had the ugliest triple-double of the season Tuesday in San Antonio, going 6 of 27 against the NBA’s No. 28 defense. But it’s all about winning, and the 25-year-old continues to deliver on that front.
Doncic had 34 points and nine rebounds Thursday against Utah to propel Dallas to sixth in the West. You just want to regain your momentum. Doncic needs just four more games from 30-5-5 to tie Oscar Robertson for the most such outings in a single season.
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celts
Last week’s rankings: No. 5
Season stats: 27. 1 problems per game, 8. 3 RPGs, 4. 9 problems per game
His case: The smart 25-year-old combined a pair of 30-point performances this week to take his overall game from 30 points to 25, putting him tied for sixth in the NBA. Tatum scored 23 points in Wednesday’s opener. as opposed to a understaffed Bucks team without Antetokounmpo.
Among the top five MVP candidates, Tatum has the lowest usage percentage (29. 6%) outside of Jokic (28. 7%). Still, we can’t forget about Boston’s anticipated double-digit contributions in the East.
And others (listed in alphabetical order): Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers; Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves; Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers; LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
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Michael C. Wright is a senior at NBA. com. You can email him here, locate his archives here, and follow him on Twitter.
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