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Jayson Tatum (0) of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks, as we offer our NBA Finals MVP predictions and power rankings to win the award ahead of the 2024 NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum (0) of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on Jan. 22, 2024 in Dallas. Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images via AFP.

As we approach the start of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics on Thursday, we are evaluating the top NBA Finals MVP odds, making predictions, and creating power rankings using the most favorable NBA odds for the 2024 championship series.

Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic are gearing up for Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, establishing themselves as frontrunners for the NBA Finals MVP title. The game kicks off on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, broadcasting live from TD Garden in Boston.

Tatum, the shining star of the Boston Celtics, has continued to lead the race for NBA Finals MVP during the playoffs, matching his team’s favoritism in the NBA championship odds. In the meantime, Doncic’s remarkable displays have elevated him in the odds rankings, mirroring the Dallas Mavericks’ path to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2011.

Yet, the competition for the Bill Russell trophy extends beyond Tatum and Doncic. As discussed in our analysis of NBA Finals odds and player props for Mavericks vs. Celtics, both teams have significant star power, indicating that there may be value in exploring dark horse candidates amidst the favored odds for Tatum and Doncic.

Check out the top NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions, as well as our expert NBA picks and power rankings of the top players for the Mavericks vs. Celtics matchup. Odds are provided by our top NBA betting sites, and pick confidence is rated on a 1-to-5-star scale.

2024 NBA Finals MVP odds

Odds as of Monday, June 3rd.

PlayerDraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsbet365
Jayson Tatum-115 -120-120-115 -125 ❄️
Luka Doncic+205+200+200+195 ❄️+225 
Jaylen Brown+650 +600+625+550 ❄️+600
Kyrie Irving+2200 +2000+1800+1800+1600 ❄️
Derrick White+3500+3600+3000 +3000 +4000 
Kristaps Porzingis+3500+5000+5000 +2800 ❄️+5000
Jrue Holiday+5000+6500+6600 +6000+5000
P.J. Washington+30000+29000+30000 +15000 ❄️+20000
Al Horford+40000 +37000+25000+30000+20000 ❄️
Derrick Jones Jr.+50000 +29000 ❄️+30000+35000+30000
Daniel GaffordOFF+29000+30000+35000 +25000 ❄️
Dereck Lively IIOFF+50000+50000 +35000+25000 ❄️

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NBA Finals MVP power rankings for Mavericks vs. Celtics

5. Jrue Holiday (Celtics)

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday points both ways from the middle of the court as we look at the NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions.
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday points both ways from the middle of the court as we look at the NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions.

Being the self-appointed leader of the Derrick White Fan Club™, I faced a difficult decision between choosing the versatile guard and his fellow backcourt player. However, considering the circumstances, I ultimately have to give the edge to the experienced Holiday as he heads into his second NBA Finals.

The market seems to be underestimating the 33-year-old guard who put up impressive stats in the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. His performance in that series showcased his valuable two-way skills, making him a key player on the court alongside Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who were both standout performers in the playoffs.

Holiday is the sole Celtics player with championship experience and will be responsible for defending either Doncic or Kyrie Irving in this series. If he excels in this role, he has the potential to earn MVP recognition similar to Andre Iguodala in 2015, but with an added offensive impact.

BetMGM offers odds of 66/1 for Holiday to win the award, which translates to a 1.49% chance according to our odds converter. A $10 bet on Holiday would pay out $660 if he does win, making this a potentially valuable long-shot bet worth considering before Thursday.

Top odds: +6600 at BetMGM

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4. Kyrie Irving (Mavericks)

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving looks upward from the middle of the court as we look at the NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving looks upward from the middle of the court as we look at the NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions.

Irving has found redemption in the 2024 NBA playoffs, leaving behind his time with the Brooklyn Nets to lead the Mavericks to the NBA Finals. It seems fitting that he will face Boston, where he played for two seasons, in the championship round.

It is likely that Irving will be highly motivated to record impressive statistics against the team he departed under strained circumstances in 2019. This prospect is daunting for the Celtics, considering how their former point guard dominated the NBA’s top defense by scoring an average of 27 points per game on 49% shooting in the Western Conference Finals.

Despite his performance, Doncic still received MVP honors in the series. It will be difficult for Irving to surpass his superstar teammate unless Doncic is injured, which could impact the Mavericks’ chances of winning. Therefore, I can only place Irving as fourth on this list, but I see value in his 22/1 odds as a former NBA champion.

Top odds: +2200 on DraftKings

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3. Jaylen Brown (Celtics)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown drives with the basketball as we look at our NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown drives with the basketball as we look at our NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions.

Despite all the chatter about Tatum’s performance, Brown ultimately outshined him by winning the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award for averaging 29.8 points per game in a four-game series against the Indiana Pacers.

During Boston’s last appearance in the NBA Finals in 2022, Brown outperformed Tatum statistically. Brown led his team in scoring with 23.5 points per game and a usage rate of 28.8%. He also achieved the highest combined game score of 15.1 against the Golden State Warriors.

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I believe Tatum is more likely to win the award compared to the other player, considering he is the favorite. However, I would strongly consider betting on his teammate who has better odds.

Top odds: +650 on DraftKings

2. Jayson Tatum (Celtics)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum flexes his right arm on the court as we look at our NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum flexes his right arm on the court as we look at our NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions.

Although Brown was awarded MVP in the conference finals, Tatum outperformed him throughout the entire series, averaging 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. However, Brown’s clutch plays in the final moments probably played a significant role in his MVP win.

However, Tatum has consistently outperformed his counterparts this season and throughout the “Jays era” in Boston. Despite his poor shooting in the 2022 NBA Finals, he was arguably the most well-rounded player on the court. Tatum poses the biggest challenge for the Mavericks, particularly when he can exploit mismatches against Dallas’ big men in isolation situations.

The Celtics had the third-highest net rating in regular season history (plus-11.8), with eight of the other nine teams in the top 10 going on to win a championship. If Boston follows suit, Tatum may be on track to win the coveted award.

Caesars offers the best odds at -115.

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1. Luka Doncic (Mavericks)

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic raises his arms while seated on the court as we look at our NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic raises his arms while seated on the court as we look at our NBA Finals MVP odds and predictions.

I recognize that Tatum is the clear frontrunner in this market, but I believe Doncic is the best choice to win this award.

The Mavericks’ standout player has been performing at an exceptional level during the playoffs, consistently making difficult shots and outmaneuvering his opponents. In the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, known for their strong defense, he averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, achieving two triple-doubles in the postseason.

Doncic is the clear frontrunner to lead in both points and assists, and is closely behind Tatum in rebounds as well. His all-around domination could potentially lead to him winning a Bill Russell trophy, even if the Mavericks (+184 via FanDuel) do not win the series.

Bet365 is currently offering one of the top sportsbook promotions for the 2024 NBA Finals. They are offering Doncic to win NBA Finals MVP at +225, which is significantly better than the +195 odds offered elsewhere. The +225 odds suggest a 33.9% chance of winning, but if he does, a $10 bet could return a $22.50 profit.

Top odds: +225 at bet365

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Top 10 NBA Finals MVP power rankings

RankPlayerTeamBest odds
1Luka DoncicDallas Mavericks+225 via bet365
2Jayson TatumBoston Celtics-115 via Caesars   
3Jaylen BrownBoston Celtics+650 via DraftKings  
4Kyrie IrvingDallas Mavericks+2200 via DraftKings
5Jrue HolidayBoston Celtics+6600 via BetMGM 
6Derrick WhiteBoston Celtics+4000 via bet365
7Kristaps PorzingisBoston Celtics+5000 via BetMGM  
8P.J. WashingtonDallas Mavericks+30000 via BetMGM  
9Al HorfordBoston Celtics+40000 via DraftKings  
10Dereck LivelyDallas Mavericks+50000 via BetMGM  

NBA Finals predictions

How to watch Mavericks vs. Celtics in 2024 NBA Finals

GameLocationDate
1TD Garden (Boston)Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
2TD Garden (Boston)Sunday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
3American Airlines Center (Dallas)Wednesday, June 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
4American Airlines Center (Dallas)Friday, June 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
5TD Garden (Boston)Monday, June 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
6American Airlines Center (Dallas)Thursday, June 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
7TD Garden (Boston)Sunday, June 23 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC)

Predictions and power rankings for the NBA Finals MVP were made on Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

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