How Jayson Tatum is Storming Up the NBA Most Improved Player Odds (NBA MIP Odds) Board
By: James Tillman
Howdy NBA fans. Welcome back to our weekly discussion at OddsUSA regarding the players in the running for the Most Improved Player award. Over the past several weeks, New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram has been leading the way in this category.
Did this trend continue or did a new name emerge as the frontrunner? So, without further ado, here’s a look at the updated Unibet odds for the players with the best chances to win the award based on how they performed over the past week (Mar. 3 through Mar. 9).
Betting on the NBA Most Improved Player Odds
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Third-Best NBA Most Improved Player Odds: Bam Adebayo (+300). Last Week’s MIP Odds (+300)
After coming with the second-best odds in this category a week ago, Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo slips to the No. 3 spot this week. Adebayo’s first two outings were somewhat quiet from a scoring perspective as he totaled just 19 points. However, he did collect 19 rebounds to go along with eight assists.
In his final game of the past week, Adebayo was a major factor, scoring 27 points to go along with 14 rebounds, six assists and one blocked shot in a 100-89 win over the Washington Wizards. Although Adebayo is having a breakout season, he will more than likely continue to be the odd man out in this race going forward.
Second-Best Most Improved Player Odds: Jayson Tatum (+250) Last Week’s MIP Odds (+450)
Tatum’s odds are up a bit from a week ago, so I guess it’s only fitting that he comes in at the No. 2 spot on our weekly list. Tatum suited three times over the past seven days and his production was solid for the most part. In Boston’s 112-106 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tatum finished with 32 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
His next two outings weren’t nearly as great from an efficiency standpoint. In a home game against the Utah Jazz, JT finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, but converted just seven of his 19 attempts from the field. He followed up with a 19-point outing in a losing effort to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In that contest, he contributed 19 points on 8-for-22 shooting. He also recorded five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Last week, I pondered the question about whether Tatum had enough staying power to remain on the list. So far, the answer is a resounding yes.
Top NBA Most Improved Player Odds: Brandon Ingram (+175) Last Week’s MIP Odds (+150)
For the fifth consecutive week, Brandon Ingram is leading the pack in this race. Unlike his competition, Ingram played in four games over the past seven days. He kicked off his weekly slate with a solid outing against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He finished with 24 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Unfortunately, it was in a losing effort.
In the team’s next game against the Dallas Mavericks, Ingram contributed 27 points, five rebounds, and four assists. But it wasn’t enough to keep the Pelicans from losing their third straight game. In a marquee matchup against the Miami Heat, Ingram had an off night as he scored 12 points and shot just 4-for-20 from the floor.
Fortunately, he bounced back in a rematch against Minnesota, notching a double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Ingram is posting career-highs in multiple categories and it will be interesting to see if he’s able to maintain his status as the frontrunner with Jayson Tatum continuing to surge.
