With the 2022-23 NBA regular season wrapping up, the MVP race is coming down to two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and last year's runner-up Joel Embiid.
Embiid was the betting favorite to win his first MVP last week, with Jokic behind him, however, after missing last week's game against the Nuggets with a calf injury, Jokic closed the gap on Embiid to win the MVP.
Jokic went off for another triple-double in a five-point win over the 76ers, recording 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists. With less than five games left in the regular season, Jokic has some work to do to catch Embiid, but the 76ers star can put his name on the trophy with big performances in their remaining games against the Celtics, Heat, Hawks , and Nets.
Below, we have the latest odds from TAB on the current favourite to win MVP and discuss the path to success for Jokic, Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
NBA MVP Odds 2023
All odds courtesy of TAB
| Player | Odds |
| Joel Embiid, 76ers | $1.35 |
| Nikola Jokic, Nuggets | $3.60 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | $7.00 |
| Jayson Tatum | $101 |
NBA MVP 2023 Odds: Favourites
Joel Embiid, 76ers ($1.35). Embiid's MVP odds took a hit last week after he sat out due to a calf injury. Many basketball fans and analysts were looking forward to the second installment between the two MVP contenders after their first meeting in Philly when Embiid went off for 47 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists.
Even though we didn't get that matchup in Denver, it still doesn't take away from what Embiid has done in the month of March for the 76ers. The six-time All-Star averaged 33.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 blocks in 15 games last month.
Embiid also had a 10-game stretch to start March, where he scored 30 or more points. During that stretch, the 76ers had an 8-2 record, which helped them keep a top-three seed and makeup ground on the No. 2 seed Celtics. However, if Embiid wants to seal the MVP award, he will have a few more opportunities to do so. The Sixers have two nationally televised games on TNT next week against the Celtics (April 5) and Heat on (April 7).
Now granted, there's a possibility that the Sixers could sit Embiid if they can clinch the No. 3 spot sooner rather than later, but the 76ers can't think that way, especially with the Cavs only two games behind them in the No. 4 spot.
MORE: Lillard endorses Embiid for MVP: 'He’s been dominant all season long'
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets ($3.60). Jokic has been in the driver's seat to win his third-straight MVP all season, adding to his case with another triple-double against the 76ers last week.
The two-time MVP has recorded six triple-doubles in March and could easily add another on Wednesday against the Rockets. With Denver seemingly past its toughest stretch of the season, Jokic and the top-seeded Nuggets should end the season on a positive note in the eyes of the voters.
The 28-year-old center has played at another level all season, and that's continued in March (26.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 9.4 assists per game to go along with 64-percent shooting from the field and 36.4 percent from 3-point range). Between April 7's TNT game against the Suns and Monday's regular season finale against the Kings, Jokic has a couple more opportunities to make a statement, and he still has a realistic shot at averaging a triple-double for the season while leading the league in virtually every composite advanced stat.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks ($7.00). If there's one player who can throw a wrench into the two-man race for MVP, it's The Greek Freak. Antetokoumnpo is quietly having another MVP season, as the Bucks have the best record in the NBA (56-21). This season, the 28-year-old superstar forward is averaging 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
Antetokounmpo has played exceptionally well in March, despite missing four games because of injury. He is recording 30.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. For him to win MVP, it would take Jokic and Embiid to have a noticeable dip in production over the next week and the Bucks reaching the 60-win plateau, which is not impossible with four games left. Still, after Denver beat down the Bucks by 23 points last Saturday, it seems unlikely that Giannis can gain enough momentum to jump both Jokic and Embiid.
2023 NBA MVP Betting Advice
At this point of the season, it wouldn't be a bad idea for bettors to sprinkle a half unit on Jokic and Embiid, as both are plus money and the MVP race will come down to the wire.
Jokic is currently winning the narrative battle, which has played a role in the odds. However, if Embiid is in front with the bookmakers. If he plays well over the next four games, he could capture his first MVP. He has a distinct advantage over Jokic as the better scorer and defender. You also have to factor in that some voters simply won't want to vote for Jokic to win three in a row, a feat accomplished by just Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, and Bill Russell. If you want to go all-in, Jokic offers slightly better value, but you can make a strong case for both players.
