There is a new MVP favorite as the NBA regular season prepares to resume.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid overtook Los Angeles Lakers striker LeBron James last week and is now the consensual favorite to win the regular season MVP award in sportsbooks across the country. Embiid is listed at +200 to win MVP on the Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, followed by James at +225.
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic is next with +350, followed by Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (+1300), Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (+1400) and Milwaukee Bucks striker Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1600).
Embiid opened with 40-1 to win MVP at Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, but his chances have steadily improved over the season, with large numbers. Embiid has an average of 30.2 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He is on his way to joining Curry as the only players averaging 30 points from 50% of pitches and 40% from 3 points in one season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He also wants to become the first pivot to win MVP since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000.
Embiid attracted nearly 20% of all MVP bets placed on FanDuel’s sports bets, while James received most of the money bet.
James, a regular season MVP four times, emerged as the favorite to win his fifth prize in late January. James saw his chances go as short as +160 entering March before he was overtaken by Embiid.
The 76ers is first in the Eastern Conference, but should be without Embiid and Ben Simmons for Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls due to the league’s COVID-19 contact tracking protocols.