NBA In-Season Tournament Success Boosts Awards Odds for Haliburton, Reaves

The inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament is now in the books, and while there was some initial confusion and skepticism about the format and point of the event, it’s hard to argue that it didn’t produce some exciting moments and provided a great twist to the early weeks of the NBA regular season.

When all was said and done, the Los Angeles Lakers became the first winners of the NBA Cup, defeating the Indiana Pacers 123-109 to take the title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Bet on Basketball at BetOnline

The Pacers were the surprise of the tournament, as they swept through their group with four wins in four games, upset the Boston Celtics in the quarterfinals, then knocked off the Milwaukee Bucks in the semis.

At the center of Indiana’s success was Tyrese Haliburton, who has blossomed into one of the best point guards in the NBA since he was traded to the Pacers from the Sacramento Kings in February 2022.

In seven games in the In-Season Tournament, Haliburton averaged 26.7 points per game, 13.3 assists per game, and 4.9 rebounds per game.

In the quarterfinals, he posted a triple-double against the Celtics with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists, and had a clutch four-point play late in the game to help the Pacers pull out the win.

His best performance came at Atlanta in the group stage, when he put up 37 points, 16 assists, and five rebounds to lead Indiana to a 157-152 win over the Hawks.

Haliburton may not have been able to lead the Pacers to the In-Season Tournament title, but his performances both in tournament play and in non-tournament contests have put him among some pretty illustrious names in the NBA MVP conversation.

Odds to Be Named NBA MVP This Season

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline.

• Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets +150
• Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks +450
• Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers +750
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder +800
• Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics +1000
• Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers +1000
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks +1400
• Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns +2800
• Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves +2800
• Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns +4000
• De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings +4000
• Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors +4500
• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers +6000
• LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers +6600
• Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers +6600
• Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans +7500

Haliburton is also in the mix for another prestigious award. Last season was a career-best campaign for the former Iowa State Cyclone, as he averaged 20.7 PPG, 10.4 APG, 3.7 RPG, and shot 49.0% from the field, 40.0% from three, and 87.1% from the foul line.

In the offseason, Haliburton received a max contract extension which could be worth up to $260 million in five years, but he is doing anything but resting on his laurels.

Thus far this season, he is averaging 26.9 PPG, 12.4 APG, and 4.2 RPG, and he is shooting 52.5% from the field, 44.1% from three, and 88.4% from the foul line.

Taking that extra step from rising star to bona fide star has put Haliburton among the top contenders for NBA Most Improved Player, in addition to his now-prominent place in the MVP race.

NBA Most Improved Player Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline.

• Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers +100
• Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets +400
• Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers +450
• Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors +600
• Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets +1800
• Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons +4000
• Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic +4000
• Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers +5000
• Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies +6600
• Coby White, Chicago Bulls +6600
• Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic +8000
• Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons +10000
• Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets +10000

Can Haliburton keep things going for the entire season? His early-season form has helped the Pacers start 12-8, which is good for fifth in the Eastern Conference.

You have to like his chances to remain one of the Most Improved Player favorites, but given the competition he is up against for MVP, the Pacers will likely need to make a serious run at a top-three or top-four finish in the Eastern Conference for Haliburton to be a serious MVP candidate come the end of the season.

Haliburton isn’t the only person whose award hopes have received a boost from the In-Season Tournament.

In helping the Lakers win the In-Season Tournament, Austin Reaves averaged 17.4 PPG, 5.0 APG, and 4.7 RPG, and he shot 53.3% from the field and 44.8% (13 of 29) from three. For the season overall, he is averaging 14.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 4.7 APG in 23 games.

With the Lakers set to resume regular season action on Tuesday with a road game against Doncic and the Mavs, Reaves is a narrow favorite for NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

Sixth Man of the Year Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline.

• Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers +350
• Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks +375
• Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks +450
• Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic +600
• Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings +700
• Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers +2000
• Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks +2200
• Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers +2500
• Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets +2800
• Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors +3300

In the In-Season Tournament title tilt against the Pacers, Reaves had 28 points (9 of 15 FG, 10 of 12 FT), 22 of which came in the first half to help the Lakers take a lead into the locker room.

We can’t expect to see those kinds of performances from Reaves night in, night out, but if he can continue to make valuable contributions on a successful team–the Lakers are currently tied for the fourth-best record in the Western Conference with a 14-9 mark–he will continue to be one of the leading Sixth Man of the Year favorites.

Where to Bet on the NBA

Many of the top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of NBA odds throughout the year.

In addition to being able to bet on 2024 NBA championship odds, you can make daily NBA picks on games all season long, including tonight’s Mavericks vs Spurs matchup in San Antonio.

Also, you can bet on the NBA All-Star Game and the major awards like NBA MVP, NBA Rookie of the Year, and more at most reputable sports betting sites.

There are numerous sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for NBA betting. Here are several books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• Bovada
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Other NBA Content

• NBA Scoring Leader Odds
• NBA Betting Guide: How to Bet on the NBA in 2023
• How to Bet on NBA Player Props