Sportsbooks called Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic "a lock to earn his third-straight MVP" one month prior (as we covered in this space). By March 5, Jokic's odds were -500.
Against all odds, a new NBA MVP frontrunner has emerged. Sportsbooks currently favour Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid for MVP.
SportsBetting.ag has Embiid at +110 and Jokic at +150. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is the only other +340 player.
Since the NBA All-Star break, the 29-year-old is averaging 35.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.5 blocks, 1.0 three, and a steal while shooting 55.9% from the field, 35.7% from three
The 76ers are the NBA's hottest club, winning six straight (and 12 of their last 15 contests). Philadelphia is now the Eastern Conference's No. 3 seed, one game behind the Boston Celtics .
Embiid's MVP campaign has benefited from his monstrous performances. In late January's matchup against Jokic, Embiid scored 47 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks,
and 4 threes to lead the 76ers to a 126-119 win. 24 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 threes, and 7 turnovers for Jokic. In a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night, Embiid 36 points,
over Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on March 4, Embiid scored 31 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 threes. In the first game following the break, Embiid beat the Memphis Grizzlies with 27 points
Voter weariness may assist Embiid since Jokic has won back-to-back MVP awards. Jokic would become the third NBA player to win three consecutive MVP honours,
joining Larry Bird (1984-1986), Wilt Chamberlain (1966-1968), and Bill Russell (1961-1963). In the last two seasons, Embiid has finished second in the MVP voting.
Bucks centre Brook Lopez is officially the Defensive Player of the Year favourite, surpassing Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. Lopez had +1400 odds in February, but now he's at -160
Bucks centre Brook Lopez is officially the Defensive Player of the Year favourite, surpassing Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. Lopez had +1400 odds in February, but now he's at -160