Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder entered the playoffs as favorites to win the NBA championship, but a shocking come-from-behind victory by the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 has the odds shifting in a hurry.
The same can be said in the East, where the defending champion Boston Celtics struggled from beyond the arc and squandered a 20-point lead against the New York Knicks, dropping Game 1 in overtime.
On Tuesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers look to even the series against the Indiana Pacers after losing on their homecourt in the series opener, while the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves play Game 1 in Minnesota.
Early favorites for Finals MVP include Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell, with a surging Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic behind them. A full list of MVP candidate odds follows below.
Resources: Daily Lines | Where to watch | NBA Playoff Bracket
Odds accurate as of publication. For latest and most complete odds go to ESPN BET
NBA Finals MVP favorites
The NBA Finals MVP Award recognizes the player deemed most valuable to his team in the NBA Finals only.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: +175
Jayson Tatum, Celtics: +275
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers: +750
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: 12-1
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: 14-1
Jaylen Brown, Celtics: 20-1
Stephen Curry, Warriors: 25-1
Jalen Brunson, Knicks: 33-1
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers: 40-1
Darius Garland, Cavaliers: 60-1
Jalen Williams, Thunder: 60-1
Kristaps Porzingis, Celtics: 60-1
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers: 60-1
Derrick White, Celtics: 66-1
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: 75-1
Pascal Siakam, Pacers: 75-1
Chet Holmgren, Thunder: 100-1
Draymond Green, Warriors: 150-1
Jrue Holiday, Celtics: 250-1
Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers: 300-1
Jamal Murray, Nuggets: 500-1