By Chris Havlicek Contributor
Updated 12/22/23 12:28pm ET
Two occurrences, separated by a matter of hours, changed the NBA MVP odds and catapulted Joel Embiid to a +225 betting favorite.
The reigning MVP passed Nikola Jokic as the favorite after dropping 51 points on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who owned the league’s best record and top-rated defense. Then, the next morning, ESPN posted a feature that conducted an MVP straw poll and favored Embiid.
Jokic is the second-favorite at +275. Luka Doncic (+550), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+900), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1000) round out the top five.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps conducts a straw poll three time per year that has moved betting markets the past couple seasons. He surveys 100 media members. In the most recent one, Embiid received 63 first- and 27 second-place votes, finishing with 848 total points. Jokic got 21 first-place votes and was second with 630 points.
Embiid is in line for a third straight scoring title. He is currently averaging 35.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and a career-high 5.9 assists. In fewer minutes than last season, he has increased his numbers in all five major statistical categories.
Embiid is also flirting with history. Through his first 24 games, Embiid has 843 points in 819 minutes played. The only player in NBA history to average better than a point per minute for an entire season (minimum 1,000 points) was Wilt Chamberlain’s 1961-62 season.
The Sixers, who sit third in the Eastern Conference standings, have gone 19-5 with Embiid, and 0-3 without him.
