With the 2022-23 NBA season set to conclude on April 9, the end-of-season awards picture is starting to take shape.
The three-man MVP race between Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo looks set to come down to the wire, with the trio firmly ahead of the field with less than three weeks remaining in the regular season.
Will Jokic make it three straight? Can Antetokounmpo add a third MVP to this trophy case? Or will Embiid break through after back-to-back runner-up finishes?
Embiid overtakes Jokic in MVP odds
The Nuggets' Nikola Jokic has been the MVP favourite for the majority of the season.
With averages of 24.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.9 assists, Jokic could become only the fourth player in history to win the award in three straight seasons, and the first since Larry Bird in 1986.
Jokic has racked up 28 triple-doubles so far this season and the Nuggets are 27-1 in those games.
Despite the strong statistical case for Jokic, the Nuggets haven't been the same since the All-Star break, opening the door for Joel Embiid.
Embiid won Eastern Conference Player of the Month in December and January, and is likely to take out the award in March.
For the month, Embiid is averaging 36.1 points on 62.7 percent shooting, 8.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.3 blocks as the 76ers continue to rack up wins in one of the most difficult post-All-Star schedules in the NBA.
Throwing his hat into the MVP ring is two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis is posting the best numbers of his career, 31.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, for the top-seeded Bucks.
The only blemish in Antetokounmpo's MVP pitch is the fact that he's missed more games than the other two major contenders.
MORE: The key stats you need to know in razor-thin MVP debate
NBA Most Valuable Player Award Odds 2023
| Player | Odds |
| Joel Embiid (PHI) | $1.35 |
| Nikola Jokic (DEN) | $4.50 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) | $5.00 |
| Jayson Tatum (BOS) | $81.00 |
| Luka Doncic (DAL) | $101.00 |
| Stephen Curry (GSW) | $251.00 |
| Donovan Mitchell (CLE) | $251.00 |
| Damian Lillard (POR) | $251.00 |
NBA Championship 2023 favourites
The Bucks currently lead the NBA with a record of 50-20 and sit in prime position to finish up as not only Eastern Conference champions, but owners of the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Sitting just behind the Bucks are the 76ers at 48-22 and the Celtics at 49-23.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are on track to become one of the highest-scoring duos in NBA history with Tatum ranking sixth in the league in scoring at 30.0 points per game, and Brown sitting in 15th position at 26.7.
With such a potent two-pronged scoring punch, Boston is in a good position to repeat as Eastern Conference champions.
The Suns are a little further back in the Championship odds, but their upside is obvious. The Suns acquired Kevin Durant from the Nets at the trade deadline and in just three games with the team, Durant averaged 26.6 points per game on 69.0% shooting in three wins.
Durant went down with an ankle injury during warmups before a March 8 clash with the Thunder. Once the two-time NBA Champion returns to the lineup, he and his teammates Chris Paul and Devin Booker, will be looking to make waves in the Playoffs.
MORE: Damian Lillard discusses 'toxic' NBA ring culture on JJ Redick's podcast
NBA Championship Odds 2023
| Team | Odds |
| Bucks | $4.00 |
| Celtics | $4.50 |
| Suns | $7.50 |
| Nuggets | $8.00 |
| Warriors | $11.00 |
| Clippers | $13.00 |
| 76ers | $13.00 |
| Grizzlies | $21.00 |
| Lakers | $21.00 |
| Mavericks | $29.00 |
| Cavaliers | $34.00 |
| Kings | $41.00 |
| Heat | $67.00 |
| Knicks | $81.00 |
| Hawks | $151.00 |
| Nets | $151.00 |
| Pelicans | $151.00 |
| Raptors | $151.00 |
| Timberwolves | $251.00 |
| Bulls | $501.00 |
| Pacers | $501.00 |
| Thunder | $501.00 |
| Jazz | $501.00 |
| Wizards | $501.00 |
| Hornets | $1001.00 |
| Magic | $1001.00 |
