NBA MVP Race 2017: Latest Odds For Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, LeBron James And More

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard’s late game heroics Monday night reignited his candidacy for the NBA’s regular season MVP race. But the Spurs superstar was still sitting behind the two players who have led the charge all season: the Houston Rockets’ James Harden and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook.

Leonard’s 39 points, including his game-winning three-pointer and game-saving block on Harden, powered San Antonio to an 112-110 victory, but the Rockets leading scorer and the NBA’s top assist man has continued to lead all other MVP contenders. Harden currently is a big favorite at 5/6 odds while triple-double machine Westbrook is at 8/5, followed by Leonard at 4/1, according to Sportsbook.ag.

After that core pack of leaders, Cleveland Cavaliers forward and four-time MVP LeBron James is way back at 8/1 odds despite posting one of the best seasons of his career, with Boston Celtics point guard and the league’s No. 2 scorer Isaiah Thomas listed next at 50/1 odds.

With roughly 20 or fewer games left in the regular season for most teams, it's apparent Harden, Westbrook and Leonard will battle for their first MVP award. Though James could make a late push.

So far, each has a case that would normally make him the winner in almost any other year. Harden, who famously made the switch from shooting guard to the point under head coach Mike D’Antoni’s first year on the bench, ranks third in the league with an average 29 points per game and has also dished the most with an average 11.3 assists a contest. The 27-year-old has also averaged a career-best 7.9 rebounds per game while Houston has shot to third in the Western Conference and remained on pace for a 60-win season.

Harden’s old Thunder teammate Westbrook, though, also has been on a collision course with history. The powerfully built Westbrook, likened to a freight train when he chugs down the court on every possession, has stayed on track to average a triple-double by leading the league in scoring. averaging 31.7 points, 10 assists and 10.6 boards.

But his candidacy took a massive hit after the All-Star break when Oklahoma City started to struggle. The squad has slipped to seventh in the West and has dropped three straight.

Leonard, as represented by his stellar shooting, across the board career-highs and defensive prowess, may have a chance to leapfrog Westbrook and challenge Harden. He’s put up a career-best 26.3 points and is widely considered the best defender in the league while Harden’s critics have long focused on his poor defense.

Odds to Win 2016-17 NBA MVP

James Harden, Houston Rockets 5/6

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder 8/5

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs 4/1

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers 8/1

Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics 50/1

John Wall, Washington Wizards 75/1

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors 75/1

DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors 250/1