The Golden State Warriors are set to play in their third straight NBA Finals after becoming the first team in league history to hold an undefeated 12-0 record in the playoffs.
With the Warriors' hitting their stride heading into the series, Las Vegas for the first time ever offered odds for the NBA Finals MVP award that pits Kevin Durant as the leading favorite to get the nod, according to ESPN.
Golden State's Kevin Durant opened as the favorite to be named NBA Finals MVP on Wednesday at William Hill, the first Nevada sportsbook ever to offer odds on the Finals MVP.
Durant is listed at 7-5, followed by Warriors point guard Stephen Curry at 8-5.
Cleveland's LeBron James, a three-time Finals MVP, is next at 2-1.
In fact, the Warriors possess the top two favorites for the prestigious honor with Stephen Curry not too far behind him. Durant is back in the NBA Finals for just the second time in his career since 2012 when the Miami Heat knocked off the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That said, Durant is putting together quite a strong postseason run averaging 25.2 points on 55.6 percent shooting from the field including 41.7 percent from beyond the arc with 7.8 rebounds per game. He also has five double-doubles with six contests scoring 25 or more points.
If the Warriors hope to earn another NBA championship, both Durant and Curry will have to play major offensive roles in helping counteract LeBron James, who is playing some of the best basketball of his career in his 14th season in the league.
Keep in mind, he has torched the Warriors in each of the past two NBA Finals with last year leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA title behind averages of 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. This includes posting four double-doubles and a triple-double in Game 7.
All of this should set the table for what should be an entertaining 2017 NBA Finals matchup between two of the best teams in the league.
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