Nikola Jokic MVP Odds Shorten After Media Poll Projects Him Over Joel Embiid for NBA Award

Nikola Jokic NBA MVP Odds

The race for NBA Most Valuable Player has been a two-man race for weeks, but oddsmakers have listed Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid as the consistent favorite over the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.

A poll of NBA media released on Tuesday morning has changed that in a notable way.

Jokic has cut into Embiid's lead significantly after ESPN published an unofficial poll of 100 NBA media members on their MVP ballots. According to the tally, Jokic received 62 first-place votes and 860 total points compared to Embiid's 29 first-place votes and 719 total points.

Embiid was shorter than -200 at some books on Tuesday morning. That's seen a major change. At PointsBet, Jokic dropped from +175 to -110 in a tie with Embiid. Embiid's lead is -115 to -105 at FanDuel, where Jokic was +165 to start the day. Jokic and Embiid are each -115 at Caesars.

Embiid holds an edge at DraftKings and BetMGM, where he's -160 and -140, respectively.

After winning MVP last season, Jokic has been even better this year. He's averaging 26.3 points, 13.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game, keeping his points and rebounds on pace with last season while upping his boards almost three per game. He leads the NBA with 19 triple-doubles.

However, the Nuggets are just sixth in the Western Conference standings.

Meanwhile, Embiid has led the way for the 76ers who sit second in the Eastern Conference with a realistic chance of falling to four or rising to first down the stretch. Embiid is averaging a career-high 29.9 points per game with 11.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1200) is third in both the poll and on odds boards before a clear separation to the rest of the field.

ESPN notes the winner of its final unofficial poll has won the MVP in each of the last four seasons.