Joel Embiid has surpassed Nikola Jokic as odds-on NBA MVP favorite

Exactly one month ago, sportsbooks viewed Denver Nuggets centerNikola Jokic as "a lock to win his third-straight MVP" (as we covered in this space). ByMarch 5, Jokic's odds were -500.

Now, against all odds (literally), there's a new favorite in theNBA's Most Valuable Player race.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is now the front-runner towin this season's MVP award on numerous sportsbooks. SportsBetting.ag lists Embiid asa +110 favorite, while Jokic has moved to +150. Milwaukee Bucksstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only other player on the board at+340 odds.

As of January 16, Embiid's MVP odds were +1800. At one point inNovember, they were +2000!

How has Embiid managed to surpass Jokic as the MVP favorite?

Since the NBA All-Star break, the 29-year-old is averaging 35.1points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.5 blocks, 1.0 three and asteal, while shooting 55.9% from the field, 35.7% from three-pointrange and 85% from the free-throw line.

The 76ers are currently the hottest team in the NBA, winning sixstraight games (and 12 of their last 15 contests). Philadelphia hasclimbed to the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, putting themjust one game back from the second-seeded Boston Celtics and threegames back from the top-seeded Bucks.

Embiid has had some monster performances that have certainlyhelped his MVP candidacy too.

In late January's head-to-head match-up against Jokic, Embiidfinished with a ridiculous 47 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, 3steals, 2 blocks and 4 threes while leading the 76ers to a 126-119victory. (Jokic had 24 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2threes and 7 turnovers).

Last night in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Embiid had 36points, 18 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists and 2 threes. On March 4,in a win against Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, Embiid had anefficient 31 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 threes. In thefirst game after the break, Embiid had a 27-point, 19-rebound,6-assist, 6-block, 1-steal outing in a victory over the MemphisGrizzlies.

Jokic has won back-to-back MVP awards, so it's possible thatvoter fatigue could also play a factor and help Embiid. If Jokicwins the award, he'd become just the third player in NBA history towin three-straight MVP awards, joining Larry Bird (1984-1986), WiltChamberlain (1966-1968) and Bill Russell (1961-1963).

Embiid has never won the MVP award, but he finished as therunner-up in each of the last two seasons.