Zion Williamson NBA MVP Shift Following Pelicans Weekend Wins Over Suns

The Pelicans are here.

New Orleans is tops in the Western Conference and are fresh off back-to-back wins against last season’s best regular season team in the Phoenix Suns, an announcement to the rest of the league that this recent stretch that saw Willie Green’s team go to 16-8 around Zion Williamson’s fine play, was indeed for real.

The Pelicans are now 18-8 and a game up on the Memphis Grizzlies for the best record in the Western Conference, and sportsbooks are taking notice.

While the Pels are still the fifth choice to come out of the West (+950) and +2400 to win the NBA Finals, Williamson has emerged as an MVP candidate on the surging team. After sitting as high as 100/1 a few weeks ago, the former No. 1 pick is +4000, or 40/1.

NBA MVP Odds

Williamson is still far off the pace set by the likes of Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Pelicans forward is realizing his potential and the team is winning at a pace that can’t be ignored.

Williamson is averaging 25 points per game with seven rebounds and four assists while shooting 60% from the field. He also has a highlight worthy play that has generated buzz tied to MVP chants, the game sealing 360 dunk against the Suns on Friday.

Players go on scoring outbursts all the time, but this is one of the unique cases where a player is playing at a high level and the team is contending for the best record in the Western Conference. Still at numbers such as 40-1, Williamson is worth a look in the MVP market given his stat profile and his team’s success.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.