There’s a new MVP favorite when the NBA season is ready to resume.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid surpassed Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James last week and is now the consensus favorite to win the regular season MVP award at sports books across the country. Embiid is offered at +200 to win MVP at Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, followed by James at +225.
Denola Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is next at +350, followed by Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (+1300), Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (+1400) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1600).
Embiid opened at 40-1 to win MVP at Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, but his chances gradually improved throughout the season as he counted large numbers. Embiid scored 30.2 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He is on track to join Curry as the only player to score an average of 30 points on 50% and 40% on three points in a season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He also wants to become the first center to win MVP since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000.
Embiid attracted nearly 20% of all MVP bets placed in FanDuel’s sportsbook, while James earned the most money.
James, a four-time regular season MVP, became the favorite to win his fifth award at the end of January. James saw that his chances were as short as +160 in March before being surpassed by Embiid.
The 76ers are in first place in the Eastern Conference, but are expected to be without Embiid and Ben Simmons for Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls due to the COVID-19 league contact tracking protocols.