With the 2018-19 NBA Playoffs set to begin Saturday, we reflect on the regular season that was and look at some players with a chance to bring home some hardware for their work up to this point in the season as MVP or Sixth Man of the Year.

NBA MVP

Odds provided by Bet365; for a full-set of today's sports betting odds, access them at USA TODAY Sports.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Bucks (-350)

Antetokounmpo was named an All-Star for the third consecutive year in 2018-19. He led the Eastern Conference champion Milwaukee Bucks in all three of points, rebounds and assists per game. He was third in the league in PPG but first in offensive efficiency.

James Harden, G, Rockets (+260)

The 2017-18 MVP is trying to become the second back-to-back winner of the honor in a five-year span. He led the league in PPG and ranked seventh in assists. His rank of second in efficiency and league-worst 5.0 turnovers per game may be his undoing.

Nikola Jokic, C, Nuggets (+12500)

Jokic was named to his first All-Star game this season. The 24-year-old former second-round pick led the surprising Nuggets in points, rebounds, assists and steals while shooting .511 from field-goal range and adding one three-pointer per game. If voters show a preference for a player truly being most valuable to his team, Jokic would be the easy choice.

NBA Sixth Man of the Year

Odds provided by FanDuel; for a full-set of today's sports betting odds, access them at USA TODAY Sports.

Lou Williams, G, Clippers (-9000)

Williams is shooting (literally) for his third career and second consecutive Sixth Man of the Year award. The offensive specialist averaged 20 PPG for the second straight season and contributed a career-best 5.4 assists per game. He started just one of his 75 games but played more than 26 minutes per contest. He can't be bet at these odds, but there's no arguing against his validity for the honor.

Domantas Sabonis, PF, Pacers (+1900)

Sabonis had a breakout third season with the Pacers, helping to replace the loss of team leader Victor Oladipo. He averaged 14.1 PPG on an ultra-efficient .590 field goal percentage. He ranked third on the team in PPG despite averaging just the eighth-most minutes.

Spencer Dinwiddie, PG, Nets (+9500)

Dinwiddie accepted a move back to the bench after starting 58 games last year. He averaged more than two points per game better as the Nets improved from 28 wins to 42 over the course of a year.

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