There is a new favorite MVP as the regular season of the NBA prepares to resume.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid overtook Los Angeles Lakers striker 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 listed at +200 to win the MVP at Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, followed by James at +225.
Denver 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 striker Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1600).
Embiid opened at 40-1 to win the MVP at William Hill’s Caesars Sportsbook, but his chances steadily improved throughout the season as he recorded a large number. Embiid has an average of 30.2 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He is on track to join Curry as the only players to score an average of 30 points at 50% and 40% at 3 points in a season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He is also looking to become the first center to win an MVP at Shaquille O’Neal in 2000.
Embiid attracted almost 20% of all MVP bets placed in FanDuel’s bookmaker, while James collected the most money wagered.
James, a four-time regular season MVP, emerged as the favorite to win his fifth award in late January. James saw his chances shorten to +160 in March before being overtaken 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 COVID-19 league tracking protocols.