NBA MVP Watch: March 31
With the end of the NBA regular season swiftly approaching, the race for league MVP is closer than ever.
There are several players across the league having great seasons, including the likes of Ja Morant, Devin Booker, DeMar DeRozan, LeBron James, Trae Young, Luka Doncic and many more.
Despite so many great performances this season, three players have risen to the top of the MVP race. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic have separated themselves from the rest of the pack on the backs of historic seasons.
Antetokounmpo, having won two of the last three MVP awards and last year's Finals MVP is right back in it, leading the Bucks to a 47-28 record.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game this season, arguably better numbers than in both of his MVP seasons. Whether it be voter fatigue or not, Antetokounmpo seems to be trailing behind in the race for this year's accolade.
Most betting platforms have Antetokounmpo slated third in the race, but a historic run to end the season could be enough to propel him right back in this race.
The two clear frontrunners as of now, and for most of the season, are big men Jokic and Embiid.
The Nuggets’ center has taken the close lead in the race, according to Vegas. The reigning MVP is averaging 26.5 points, eight assists, and an astounding 13.6 rebounds, even better numbers than a year ago.
Jokic has led the injured Nuggets to a 46-31 record and they currently sit in the five seed in the Western Conference.
Jokic has completely transformed his game from a few seasons ago, and the slimmed-down Serbain looks to finish the year strong and become the 13th player in NBA history to win back-to-back MVP awards.
Although Jokic has just taken the lead, Embiid isn’t going down without a fight. The Sixers’ big man is averaging 29.9 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists on the year, while leading the 76ers to a 46-29 record.
The Sixers currently sit in the third seed slot in the tight Eastern Conference standings. Embiid has been in the thick of the MVP race in years past but has never taken home the award.
Embiid has been playing with a new fire since the acquisition of former MVP James Harden from the Nets and will need to put up some serious numbers in the last few games of the season to have a chance.
However the race turns out, the finish in one of the tightest MVP races ever is sure to deliver.
Current NBA MVP odds:
Nikola Jokic: -220
Joel Embiid: +160
Giannis Antetokounmpo: +1,000
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Jameson Kramer is a third-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jek5650@psu.edu.
