Top 3 candidates with best odds to win NBA Cup MVP
The NBA Cup championship and the NBA Cup MVP award are at stake on Tuesday when the Milwaukee Bucks take on the OKC Thunder. Milwaukee earned the right to represent the East after beating the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 on Saturday. Oklahoma is the Western Conference representative after eliminating the Houston Rockets 111-96 on Saturday.
The Bucks will be led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who average a combined 58.4 points per game, the best in the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, averaging a fourth-best 52.4 ppg, pace the Thunder.
Top contenders to lift the NBA Cup MVP trophy
#3. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard’s In-Season Tournament numbers have been impressive. He is averaging 28.2 points, 9.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Dame Time is hitting 48.3% of his shots, including 45.1% from deep.
When the game is on the line, the Bucks don’t hesitate to go to Lillard, who has made 97.0% of his shots from the free-throw line. He is the one Doc Rivers usually designs plays for at crunch time.
If Lillard plays well and makes the biggest baskets down the stretch, he could walk away with the NBA Cup MVP award.
#2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is another strong contender to win the NBA Cup MVP award. The "Greek Freak" is averaging 31.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 7.2 apg, 2.8 bpg and 1.0 spg. If he continues to fill the stat sheet and the Bucks win the In-Season Tournament, he could emerge as the best player of the competition.
In the win against the Hawks in the semis, Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, four blocks and one steal. He made key shots and the game-sealing free throws. The 2021 NBA Finals MVP has a chance to add another achievement to his resume.
#1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could follow in LeBron James’ footsteps as an NBA Cup MVP winner. SGA heads into the championship game averaging 32.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 6.5 apg and 2.7 spg. The Canadian has arguably been Oklahoma’s best two-way player in the In-Season Tournament.
For the Thunder to win the tournament, Gilgeous-Alexander must have a big night. No one will be surprised if he is recognized as the best player in the tournament.