When it comes to consistent NBA performers, there aren’t many who can hold a candle to Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. The 27-year-old won the NBA MVP award last season and is well on track to do so again, with his latest efforts including a 30-point haul in the fourth quarter of a 138-130 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jokic’s form has led the Nuggets to a commanding 38-26 record that puts them in the sixth spot in the Western Conference and pushing ever closer to his pal Luka Doncic, whose Dallas Mavericks are a game up on Denver.
The Nuggets may have never won an NBA title before, but we’d suggest checking out sidelines.io and considering backing Jokic’s team with an outside bet; they are currently placed at a very tempting (+3500).
Another bet worth a mention is one on Jokic to pick up another NBA MVP award. At present, the only player ahead of the Nuggets man in the betting is Philadelphia 76ers Center Joel Embiid, who is having an outstanding time of it this season.
Just behind Jokic comes the man who pretty much single-handedly drove the Milwaukee Bucks to the title last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and then comes the likes of Ja Morant, DeMar DeRozan, and Steph Curry.
Of those players, it would be fair to say that it’s Jokic that is on an upward curve when it comes to individual form.
Jokic has been handed a never-ending stream of praise from all and sundry, and his team-mates can’t stop gushing over the qualities that the Serbian possesses, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon commenting;
“Phenomenal. Different. He’s just different,”
“That’s just not something that you see often. He took over 30 points in the fourth quarter and overtime; that’s just sick. That was just an amazing game. He’s an amazing ballplayer.” Before adding;
“This dude is incredible,”
“I don’t say that about a lot of people. I only say that about a handful of people. This dude is incredible. He’s the MVP. I believe that. He’s coming out the night in and night outputting up ridiculous numbers, and we’re winning. I don’t know everybody that votes on it, but this guy gotta be at the top of the list.”
The Joker is always worth a watch on and off the court. A player who always has a smile on his face and an abundance of natural talent, and a flair for picking up points at will, might be enough to help the Nuggets push on long into the postseason.
Jokic moved to the Ball Arena in the summer of 2015, having impressed with Belgrade-based side Mega Basket, and is now into his sixth season in the NBA. He has been vital in helping the Denver Nuggets to the playoffs for three seasons on the run and will hope to play a crucial role in helping Michael Malone’s team edge ever closer to a first-ever NBA title.
