The Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid overtook two-time defending MVP Nikola Jokic to become the new betting favorite to win the NBA MVP with less than three weeks left in the regular season. Late in January, the 76ers defeated the Nuggets, but Embiid made a statement by going off for 47 points, 18 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. It was no accident that he beat reigning MVP Jokic in his best performance of the year. Embiid feels that he was denied the MVP award last year. Although he had a compelling case, voters chose Jokic because the Nuggets had been decimated by injuries. Embiid ascended to the top of the awards board following a speculator run in March.