Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic: Who Is the NBA MVP Favorite?

Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you click and buy. This helps keep the great content coming! We only recommend products we believe in.

The NBA regular season is winding down and it now appears as if it’s a two-man race for MVP. For much of the season Nikola Jokic was the favorite to win MVP. However, Joel Embiid had a monster month of March and moved ahead of Jokic in the odds. Embiid missed a potentially massive head-to-head showdown with Jokic on Monday. So who is the favorite?

Right now at FanDuel Sportsbook, Jokic and Embiid are co-favorites to win the MVP award at +105. The only other candidate in the conversation is Giannis Antetokounmpo who is +650. Giannis was slightly behind Embiid when the month began, but his candidacy is starting to fade.

The reason Jokic and Embiid are co-favorites likely has something to do with ESPN’s MVP straw poll. The poll is usually a sharp predictor for who is going to win the award and, buddy, the margin is RAZOR thin.

The new poll was released this morning and Embiid outpaced Jokic by just two points 790-788. However, Jokic received two more first-place votes. Giannis is third in the poll with 612 points. He could get back in the race, but the Bucks have a three-game lead for the top seed in the Eastern Conference so there’s also a chance the Bucks might opt to rest him towards the end of the season so he’s fresh for the playoffs.

Embiid and Jokic both received a first, second, or third-place vote from all 100 voters. Giannis received top-3 votes from 97 voters. He got two fourth-place votes and a fifth-place vote. It’s easy to presume that whoever voted him fourth gave third-place votes to Jayson Tatum, but I’m really curious to know what player someone voted fourth ahead of Giannis.

Nikola Jokic Looking To Join Elite Company

Jokic is looking to make history as the fourth player in NBA history to three-peat as MVP. Bill Russell did it in 1961-63. Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1966-68. Larry Bird did it in 1984-86. In the years since, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Steve Nash, LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Giannis all won back-to-back MVPs but none were able to bring home the third.

This is the third year in a row that Jokic and Embiid are battling for MVP. Two years ago Jokic bested Embiid by 385 votes. Last year the margin of victory shrank to 169 votes. The most recent straw poll suggests the vote will be even closer this year. 

The closest NBA MVP race ever was in 1989-90 when Magic Johnson beat Charles Barkley by 22 votes. It was the only MVP race in which the winner did not get the most first-place votes. If ESPN’s straw poll is any indication we could be headed for a similar outcome.

written by

Hailing from Atlanta and attending college at the University of Texas, Dan is passionate about sports, particularly college football and soccer. He's a diehard Atlanta pro sports and Texas Longhorns fan. He likes every sport and will watch anything and everything the weirder the better. He joined Betsperts after an 11 year career in television production at ESPN.

more betting news

Caesars Sportsbook Promo Gets $1K Bet on House for Chiefs vs Bucs, NBA, and More Tonight

Caesars Sportsbook is providing an appealing welcome bonus for new users. You can place a bet of up to $1,000 on your first wager, and if that bet ends up losing, you will receive a full refund in bonus bets....

Bet $5 with FanDuel Promo, Win $150 on Matchups Like Bucs at Chiefs and More

The NFL season is heating up, and so are the offers from the FanDuel promo code. This week, fans can look forward to a primetime clash between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs. And the best part?...

BetMGM Promo Code Unlocks Huge $1500 Offer for Any Game Including KC-TB

Week 9 of the NFL season concludes with the Chiefs taking on the Buccaneers in Monday Night Football. To make this matchup even more exciting, we are thrilled to offer an exclusive BetMGM promo code that provides a bonus of...

Oregon at Michigan Odds, B1G Matchup, and More for Today

The Oregon Ducks and Michigan Wolverines are set to clash in a highly anticipated B1G matchup. Both teams bring unique strengths and weaknesses to the field, and the Oregon at Michigan odds predict a closer-than-expected game. As the two programs...

DraftKings Promo Code Secures $250 Bonus Including Bets on Chiefs-Bucs Tonight

Are you ready for some football?! Tonight's Monday Night Football matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wraps up Week 9 of the NFL season. For tonight's showdown in Kansas City, DraftKings has a fantastic promo...

BetMGM $1500 Promo Code for Cowboys at Falcons and More Matchups Sunday

BetMGM is providing a fantastic opportunity to enhance your bets for the highly anticipated NFL Week 9 matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys. New users can take advantage of the latest BetMGM promotional code, which offers a...

Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code Gets up to $1000 in No Sweat Bets for NFL Week 9 and More

Unlock 10 Days of Risk-Free Betting with Fanatics Sportsbook The NFL season is heating up, and there's never been a better time to join Fanatics Sportsbook. New users can claim a massive $1000 in No Sweat Bets over 10 days,...

Bet $5 with FanDuel Promo, Win $150 on Matchups Including Colts at Vikings

The NFL season is heating up, and with it comes exciting opportunities for sports bettors. FanDuel promo offers are offering a fantastic opportunity for new users, allowing you to Bet $5, Win $150 in Bonus Bets on matchups like the...

DraftKings Promo Code Gets $250 Bonus for Games Like Lions at Packers and More

The NFL season is in full swing, a new DraftKings promo code is available, and with it comes a plethora of exciting matchups, including the highly-anticipated clash between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. To make your viewing...

First Basket Odds for Tatum, Harden, Booker, and More NBA Stars in Action Tonight

NBA first basket props are a thrilling way to enhance your basketball betting experience. These bets focus on which player will score the first basket of the game, adding an extra layer of excitement right from tip-off. Before we take...

Latest News

NHL Anytime Goalscorer Bets and Odds Today – November 5

Who's likely to score in the NHL on Tuesday? There are 11 games on the card, and a full list of anytime goal-scorer odds is offered below.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Today's Top Anytime Goal OddsAuston Matthews (Maple Leafs) -105 to...

SURPRISE: Stephen Curry is Back for the Warriors!

The Golden State Warriors received some great news ahead of Monday night's game. After long-time NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Stephen Curry would return to the lineup against the Wizards, Steve Kerr confirmed the news. The superstar guard has...

Top Player Prop Bets for Bulls vs. Jazz on November 4, 2024

Player prop bet options for Nikola Vucevic, Walker Kessler and others are listed when the Chicago Bulls host the Utah Jazz at United Center on Monday at 8:30 PM ET.How to Watch Bulls vs. JazzDate: Monday, November 4, 2024Time: 8:30...

Tonight is One of the Best NBA Nights of the Year

If it didn't feel like basketball season before, Monday night's NBA slate will change that. With the NBA taking a full day off for Tuesday's election, we're in store for one of the best basketball nights of the year! All...

Cubs Roster Moves: Almonte, Bethancourt, Brewer, Paredes, Herget Off the 40-Man

Today, the Chicago Cubs opened up their four necessary 40-man roster spots by waiving relievers Yency Almonte, Colten Brewer, and Enoli Paredes, and catcher Christian Bethancourt. Each player cleared waivers and elected free agency. Meanwhile, in order to make room...

Cubs Claim Lefty Rob Zastryzny Off of Waivers

*cracks knuckles* *practices typing z-a-s-t-r-y-z-n-y again* Time to welcome back an old friend, as the Chicago Cubs are using today's rostering deadline to pick up a lefty off of waivers. Kinda sorta World Champion Rob Zastryzny is back: https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1853560486991933899 Zastryzny,...

BN Fantasy NFL DFS Contests Including Mahomes, Mayfield, and More Stars on MNF

Are you ready to elevate your NFL DFS experience? Join BN Fantasy today and use the promo code SWEATFREE to receive a risk-free first entry of up to $250. This exclusive offer allows new users to enter a contest featuring...

Cilic vs. Lehecka Prediction at the Belgrade Open – Tuesday, November 5

On Tuesday, Marin Cilic (No. 196 in the world) meets Jiri Lehecka (No. 31) in the Round of 16 at the Belgrade Open.In this matchup against Cilic (+145), Lehecka is favored with -190 odds.Belgrade Open InfoTournament: The Belgrade OpenRound: Round...

Guinard vs. Bergs Prediction at the Moselle Open – Tuesday, November 5

No. 264-ranked Manuel Guinard will face No. 61 Zizou Bergs in the Moselle Open Round of 32 on Tuesday, November 5.Bergs has -450 odds to beat Guinard (+310).Moselle Open InfoTournament: The Moselle OpenRound: Round of 32Date: Tuesday, November 5Venue: Les...

Gaston vs. Droguet Prediction at the Moselle Open – Tuesday, November 5

No. 81-ranked Hugo Gaston will take on No. 174 Titouan Droguet in the Moselle Open Round of 32 on Tuesday, November 5.Gaston is the favorite against Droguet, with -160 odds against the underdog's +125.Moselle Open InfoTournament: The Moselle OpenRound: Round...

more betting news