James Harden racked up a huge total as the Houston Rockets swept LeBron James and the LA Lakers aside in a 126-111 victory.
The 29-year-old recorded 50 points and a triple-double as he dominated proceedings at the Toyota Centre.
Harden won the NBA MVP award last season for his terrific displays, and could be in contention to seize the award for a second year in a row.
Following his huge night against the Lakers, Skybet have rated him as 8/1 to claim the crown, close to James among the elite pack.
The Lakers’ main man is currently priced at 7/1, showing that his chances of lifting a fourth NBA MVP award have drifted.
Despite Harden’s display, the Rockets rank 13th in the Western Conference.
He will need to haul his team up through the pack to stand a realistic chance of lifting back-to-back MVP awards.
However, the odds show he can’t be written off with more than half of the season to go.
Harden’s 50-point haul isn’t even his biggest display of the season after racking up 54 points against the Washington Wizards in November.
The current top contenders for the MVP include Giannis Antetokounmpo (7/4), Kawhi Leonard (6/1) and Kevin Durant (13/2).
James has vastly improved the Lakers this season as they sit in fifth, but he will need to inspire some more playoff magic to secure his fifth MVP award.
The race will heat up over the coming weeks as the busy festive period begins to define teams’ seasons across the league.
James Harden’s next five games
Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets (16/12, 1am UK time)
Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz (18/12, 1am UK time)
Houston Rockets vs Washington Wizards (20/12, 1am UK time)
Miami Heat vs Houston Rockets (21/12, 1am UK time)
Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs (23/12, 1am UK time)