Who Will Win the NBA’s Kia Player of the Seeding Games Award?

On August 11^th, the NBA announced that they will be handing out awards for the seeding games in the categories of: the All-Seeding Games Team and the Kia NBA Player of the Seeding Games.

Sports writers and broadcasters will vote on which players are named to the seeding team and which player will be the “bubble MVP” for the seeding round, which took place from July 30^th to August 14^th.

NBA betting sites have already released odds on this “bubble MVP” award. So, let’s set a pick and roll as we dissect the candidates listed for the Kia NBA Player of the Seeding Games award and hit a fade away jumper on the sportsbooks.

The NBA will name a Player of the Seeding Games and an All-Seeding Games Team to honour the top performers for games taking place during the restart.https://t.co/yDw8LCbz7Y

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 11, 2020

NBA Betting Odds

The following betting odds are courtesy of BetOnline:

• Damian Lillard (-300)
• Devin Booker (+200)
• J. Warren (+800)
• James Harden (+1000)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1200)
• Luka Doncic (+1200)
• Anthony Davis (+2500)
• DeMar DeRozan (+3300)

The Betting Favorites

Damian Lillard, Portland Trailblazers (-300)

Prior to the NBA deciding on which teams would be invited to the bubble, Lillard came out and said he didn’t want to go if there was nothing to play for. Well, the NBA took that into consideration among other factors, when they decided on which teams to invite.

Portland was one of the teams outside of the Playoffs that were invited and they have taken full advantage of it. The Trailblazers are pretty much going to lockdown the 8^th seed and face off with the 9^th seed for the right to enter the Playoffs.

The big reason Portland moved up the standings into 8^th is the scoring of Lillard. In seven games so far, he’s averaged 37 points per game. He balled out against Dallas this week when he scored 61 points, which followed up at 51 point performance against Philly last weekend.

Lillard is also handing out just under 10 assists per game and has turned this Portland team into a legitimate Playoff threat.

Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (+200)

To most fans and critics, the Phoenix Suns had no business being invited to Orlando. Yet, they’re on the verge of going unbeaten in bubble play and put themselves into the unthinkable spot of challenging for the 9^th seed and a Play-in series.

Devin Booker has been a major reason why the Suns are unbeaten and knocking on the door of the postseason. The shooting guard is averaging 31 points per game and would be the most talked about player if it wasn’t for Lillard’s 122 combined total points over his last two games.

Nevertheless, Booker is also right around an average of six assists per game and shooting over 50% from the field. He beat the Clippers with a buzzer-beater and is on the verge of becoming a true superstar in the NBA.

T.J. Warren, Indiana Pacers (+800)

If you noticed, of all the players on this list T.J. Warren is the least known to casual fans. He doesn’t have the name recognition as other betting options do. Yet, he’s definitely having a great run in the bubble.

In six games, Warren is averaging 31 points per game, which is the same as Devin Booker. Both players are tied for 4^th in scoring inside the bubble. Yet, Warren is also putting up other fantastic numbers as well.

The small forward is shooting 57.8 percent from the floor, 52% from beyond the arc and nearly 90% from the charity stripe. It’s clear that he’s the workhorse for the Pacers and gives the team a solid shot in the Playoffs as long as his foot injury gets better.

The Best Betting Value

Let me start out by saying that I am absolutely surprised that Luka Doncic (+1200) has odds this low. What does the guy have to do to be one of the favorites? He’s already one of the biggest names in the sport and just 21 years old. Doncic is also a triple double machine.

In six games, Luka is averaging a triple double with 32 ppg, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. Take a moment to reread those stats again. Let’s also not forget how Doncic had arguably the best game in the bubble with 36 points, 19 assists and 14 rebounds against the Bucks.

Doncic is a true superstar and has the Mavericks poised to make some noise in the Playoffs. Not to mention, he’s made a lot of people rich with how much his rookie cards are worth.

The Best Longshot

DeMar DeRozan (+3300) is an unheralded star who has helped the Spurs get into position to contend for the 9^th seed and a Play-in series. He’s quietly averaging roughly 22 ppg heading into the final game of the seeding round, but has been a true leader and clutch on the floor.

DeRozan doesn’t get as much attention as other players on this list, but he definitely deserves it. DeMar does it on both ends of the floor and is a worthy candidate for this recognition.

good lord Devin Booker pic.twitter.com/RNVwPNNzbg

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) August 11, 2020

Who Will Be the Bubble Master?

Most of the attention is on Doncic and Lillard for this “bubble MVP” award according to most NBA betting sites, as both players have had tremendous games in the seeding round. In fact, Lillard is only the second player in the history of the NBA to have scored 60 or more points in three regular season games.

Yet, if Booker can help the Suns go undefeated and make the Play-in series then he deserves the award hands down. Lillard has been flashy with his big scoring games, but Booker has been just as fantastic and almost singlehandedly beat the Clippers even with George and Leonard on him.

The smart money is on Lillard as he’s had three games of 45 or more points and will be competing for a Playoff spot. But, I feel that Booker is being overlooked and I believe he’s worthy of a flier for this prop bet especially if he finishes with another 30+ point performance against Dallas.

For those of you looking for a layup then go with Lillard, but for those of you that want to break the backboard with a nasty dunk then take Devin Booker.