The NBA season tips off on October 24th, meaning that it’s time to get in your season-long bets for the players you have high expectations

Part of the offerings for season-long bets on FanDuel Sportsbook are NBA player stats odds for the 2023-24 season. Perhaps the most exciting is who will be the Scoring champion on a points-per-game (PPG) by season’s end.

Let’s take a look at the top contenders to lead the NBA in points this season.

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (+350)

After back-to-back scoring titles, it’s hard for anyone not named Joel Embiid to enter the 2023-24 NBA season as the favorite to lead the league in points.

The reigning MVP is unsurprisingly coming off his best season yet. He finished last year averaging 33.1 PPG, the highest in the NBA since the 2019-20 season. His success came from consistency, putting together the best field goal percentage of his career at 54.8%. The scary part about his output in 2022-23 is that his shot from three-point range wasn’t as consistent as previous seasons, only shooting 33.0% beyond the arc — down four percentage points from the previous two years.

If he’s able to get that up, it can still make a difference for Embiid, who will remain the focal point of the Philadelphia offense with new head coach Nick Nurse taking the helm.

Embiid has been at the top for Usage rate for three straight seasons — finishing second in 2022-23 (37.0%) while placing first in 2021-22 (37.5%) and 2020-21 (35.2%). Those numbers won’t be going down with James Harden expected to be on his way out. The team will need to lean on Embiid that much more.

At +350 odds and history on his side, becoming the first player since Harden to win three straight scoring titles feels like a great proposition.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+380)

Following a breakout season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has shown signs that it was just the beginning for him as a star in the NBA.

In his fifth-year, Gilgeous-Alexader elevated himself by scoring a career-high 31.4 PPG, 6.9 more points than his previous career-high mark. The 31.4 PPG left the 25-year-old as the league’s fourth-highest scorer, trailing only Embiid, Luka Doncic, and Damian Lillard.

He also had career highs in field goal percentage (51.0%) and free-throw percentage (90.5%), making every shot count. The belief in Gilgeous-Alexander to take another step comes in him finding his form from deep. He only averaged 0.9 threes per game last year — the lowest since his rookie campaign. While he has only played two games in the preseason, he’s been willing to take those shots; 3-of-6 have gone in, too. If he’s able to improve from his 34.5% from range last season, who knows where his game can go.

SGA had a 31.8% usage rate in 2022-23, a number that may not remain there with Chet Holmgren making his official debut this season. Holmgren, however, should only help Gilgeous-Alexander make more plays with less focus on him, giving him a chance to be just as consistent as he takes another step in his game.

If last year is any indication, Gilgeous-Alexander has the potential to keep evolving with him just entering his prime. There’s no limit on where he could land this season.

Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks (+410)

Luka Doncic has come close to winning himself a scoring title. Perhaps the 2023-24 season will be his year to finally do it.

Doncic has been an MVP favorite the past few seasons and will be again this year, coming in with the second-shortest (+550). One of the ways for him to win his first MVP award would be by leading the league in scoring — something he has been close to doing in each of the last four seasons.

Over his NBA career, Doncic averages 27.6 points a night. Last season was the highest total of his career, scoring 32.4 per game and landing in second place behind Embiid. This was the fourth straight season he finished in the top six in the league, third straight in the top five, and second straight in the top three.

Doncic’s usage rate was at 36.8% last season, ranking third. He ranked second in 2021-22 at the same clip, meaning that he’s likely to do the same work for his team yet again.

Doncic has elite numbers that only continue to climb as he gets better; he shot a career-high 49.6% and had an expected field goal percentage (xFG%) of .588. He still as room to go as he’s still just 24 years old, and his usage wasn’t greatly impacted when Kyrie Irving joined the team last February.

The Dallas Mavericks superstar feels like he’s on the cusp of greatness. Winning the scoring title would certainly be the start of that.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (+470)

Giannis Antetokounmpo has accomplished a ton in his NBA career. But one thing he has never done is lead the NBA in scoring. Could 2023-24 be the year that changes?

Consistency is what Antetokounmpo brings to the table more than anything else. He has averaged 31.1, 29.9, 28.1, 29.5, 27.7, and 26.9 points in the last six seasons, ranking in the top five in scoring in each of those years. He’s one of the most dominant players in the NBA, but the question in terms of him chasing a scoring title this year will come down to usage more than anything else.

The arrival of Damian Lillard brings another alpha to the Milwaukee Bucks‘ rotation. Last season alone, Antetokounmpo and Lillard ranked top five in usage with Giannis finishing first (37.3%) and Dame finishing fifth (33.1%). Something will have to give between these two. While it’s likely Antetokounmpo won’t take much hit to the usage rate as arguably the best player in basketball, it’s still something worth considering in this situation that could affect his chances of winning his first scoring title. However, taking pressure off of the two-time MVP could allow him to have better looks and less double teams as a result.

Always being in the conversation, Antetokounmpo rightfully is again this season. Sitting at +470 odds to win his first scoring title may be the best you’ll get — no matter the uncertainty of what the Giannis-Lillard dynamic will look like.

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (+850)

Coming in at fifth on FanDuel Sportsbook is Jayson Tatum, who is looking to push the Boston Celtics to new heights once again.

Tatum doesn’t have the same case that the four players ahead of him. He’s never been top five in scoring but has finished top 10 over the last three seasons. The Celtics star had his best overall campaign when he finished with 30.1 PPG.

His usage numbers are also elite. The last two seasons have seen the forward over the 30.0% mark — finishing at 31.9% and 31.3%. This is the usage that can get him to being the top scorer in the league, and he arguably has the best supporting cast around him with the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis joining Boston.

Their additions should be able to give Tatum more time and space, giving him all the potential to have his best season yet and make one final step from a superstar level to best of the best.

Final Verdict

The scoring crown feels like a three-person race between Embiid, Doncic, and Antetokounmpo with Gilgeous-Alexander and Tatum feeling like the two looking to take another step as scorers — despite both being in the top six scoring last season. There needs to be consistency there to believe in SGA and Tatum — which the three favorites do have, in my opinion.

Doncic has only climbed up the scoring list in three straight seasons, finishing 0.7 behind Embiid for the title one year ago. At the +410 odds, he very well could take that next step and take the title from the 76ers’ center after just missing out for two straight years.

Do you think you know which NBA players are poised for an impressive 2023-24 season? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook’s NBA player stats odds market to bet season-long player stats with America’s Number One Sportsbook. Be sure to check out other basketball betting options, as well.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.