Back to the Futures: Durant on Course for MVP but not Title
by Ricky Dimon - 3/14/2014
Kevin Durant says he just wants to be a winner and that he is not concerned about the MVP race. If that's the case, he could be in for another long spring
and summer. Oklahoma City's superstar is favored to be crowned the NBA's most valuable, but his team-although a contender-is still lagging behind the best
of the best.
All odds provided by Sportsbook.ag
LeBron James / Kevin Durant
MVP: LeBron James (+300)
- LeBron really got back in the race from Feb. 20 (when he scored 33 points in a blowout of Durant's Thunder) through March 3 (when he poured in a
career-high 61 points). Since the onslaught against Charlotte, however, LeBron has played five games and has not scored more than 23 in any contest.
NBA Championship: Miami Heat (+220)
- Not coincidentally, the Heat have been struggling. They have lost four of their last five games after losing at home to Brooklyn, 96-95, on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, Miami is still within two games of Indiana (+400 to win the title) for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference because the Pacers have
also been losing.
MVP: Kevin Durant (-450)
- In nine games since Oklahoma City lost to Miami last month, Durant is averaging 34.3 points per outing. That's even better than his 31.9 average, which
is almost four points more than No. 2 Carmelo Anthony. Durant has gone for 42 twice in that span, recorded one triple-double, and was one assist from
delivering another triple-double.
NBA Championship: Oklahoma City Thunder (+500)
- Unfortunately for the Thunder, they seem to be stuck in neutral like the Heat. Oklahoma City has lost five of its last 10 games and has watched the
Spurs, who have won eight in a row, blow by it in the Western Conference. The Clippers, who have won nine straight, are within 2.5 games of second place.
Stanley Cup
St. Louis Blues (+450) -
It's been a while-prior to the Olympic-induced NHL break- since we visited the Stanley Cup odds. The Blues lost two in a row upon
their return, but they have since won six of seven to lead the entire league with 97 points. Hero-for-a-day T.J. Oshie has three goals and four assists in
his last six games.
Chicago Blackhawks (+550)
- The Blackhawks are a disappointing fifth in the Western Conference, but they are within striking distance of conference's top seed for the playoffs.
Chicago's 90 points are just seven fewer than conference-leading St. Louis and a mere three points separate third through fifth.
Pittsburgh Penguins (+600)
- The Eastern Conference is a two-horse race-at least in the regular-season. Pittsburgh leads the way with 92 points and it is in the midst of a three-game
winning streak. All of the Penguins' top players, including Sidney Crosby. Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-Andre Fleury, have a ton of playoff experience.
Boston Bruins (+650)
- Only the L.A. Kings (who have won eight of nine games) are as hot as the Bruins right now. Boston has won seven in a row to completely break open the
Atlantic Division. The 2011 Stanley Cup Champions finished runner-up to Chicago last year in a Game 6 thriller. They are playing like they want to take
back the crown in 2014.
The Masters
Tiger Woods (+650)
- This is not your older brother's Tiger Woods. Tiger missed the secondary cut at Torrey Pines, withdrew from the Honda Classic during the fourth round,
and finished 25th after an up-and-down Doral campaign during which his balky back once again flared up. The world No. 1 has not won the Masters
since 2005.
Rory McIlroy (+1000)
- McIlroy is seeking his first Green Jacket, and he has never even placed in the top 10. However, the Northern Irishman led by four shots heading into the
2011 final round before an 80 dropped him well out of contention. McIlroy is not at his very best right now, but he at least managed to get into a playoff
at the Honda.
Jason Day (+1500)
- Outstanding play last fall and a second-place showing at Torrey Pines in January has Day up to No. 4 in the world golf rankings. The red flag surrounding
the Australian involves is his injury history. A wrist problem plagued him in 2013, and a thumb issue forced him out of last week's Cadillac Championship.
Adam Scott (+1800)
- Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters when he triumphed last season in Augusta. He had previously finished in the top 10 three times in
Augusta. As for Day, in his only previous Masters appearances he placed second (in 2011) and third (in 2013). Needless to say, the Aussies can get it done
on these grounds.
Food City 500
Kyle Busch (+500) - The Busch brothers have been absolute forces at this event at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kurt won it four times in a five-year span from
2002 to 2006. Kyle has won it three times since 2007. He was on the pole last season before finishing second.
Brad Keselowski (+700)
- Keselowski won this race in 2012 en route to the Sprint Cup championship. Based on current form, there is no reason to think he won't contend again. The
No. 2 car was third in Daytona, third in Phoenix, and won last weekend in Las Vegas.
Jimmie Johnson (+700) -
Johnson won none of his first three races in 2014, almost a slump by his standards. However, he also has not finished outside the Top 6 of any event.
Johnson, who is no stranger to winning this race (2010 champ), may be due.
Kevin Harvick (+700)
- The 2005 Food City 500 champion has already found the winner's circle in 2013, as he took home the checkered flag from Phoenix. In the most consistent
form of his career, the 38-year-old also won 12 times from the start of 2010 through the end of 2013.
Read more articles by Ricky Dimon
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