Brooklyn Nets: 3 best prop bets for 2021-22 season

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 11: Kevin Durant #7 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets react against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 11, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2 of 3

(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

2. Kevin Durant to win MVP (+550)

Irving’s absence provides Kevin Durant with the perfect opportunity to stake his claim as the MVP favorite for this season. Voters for the award love a good narrative, and Durant willing the Nets to the No. 1 or 2 seed in a much-improved Eastern Conference without the superstar he teamed up with to sign with Brooklyn a few years ago would be gold.

Having said that, Durant will have numerous competitors for the award.

Luka Doncic, the odds-on favorite to win the MVP, per WynnBET, will make a serious push if Dallas finishes in the top half of the West. The same can be said for Steph Curry and his Warriors. You also can’t rule out the likes of Giannis, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and even Joel Embiid if he manages to say healthy.

Still, though, we love Durant’s chances. Had he not missed extended time with a hamstring injury last season, the award was his to lose.

There’s no reason to think that won’t be the case this year, and he got off to a roaring start in Tuesday’s opener, posting 32 points, 11 rebounds and four assists on 13-of-25 shooting (3-of-7 on threes) in a losing effort.

At +550 odds (bet $100 to win $550), Nets fans should be all over this.