2021 NBA MVP Odds: Nikola Jokic Heavy Betting Favorite over Joel Embiid, Steph Curry

Blake SchusterContributor IMay 21, 2021

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The NBA may have named three finalists for MVP on Thursday, but according to FanDuel's oddsmakers, the race for the year's best player is already a runaway.

Following the league's reveal of Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Stephen Curry as the finalists, Jokic's FanDuel odds dropped to -7000 (bet $100 to win $1.43), while Curry sits at +2700 (bet $100 to win $2,700) and Embiid lags behind at +3000.

ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets in points, rebounds and assists for a fourth straight season. <br><br>He is the first player in NBA history to lead his team in those three categories in four straight seasons. pic.twitter.com/tgLOF68bk8

Curry is the only finalist who was considered a preseason front-runner for MVP, with FanDuel listing his odds at +850 ahead of opening night. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was the overall preseason favorite at +410, just ahead of back-to-back reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo at +480.

Jokic put up 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. His case is also helped by the fact that he's the only finalist to compete in all 72 games this season. Curry (32.0 ppg, 5.8 apg, 1.2 spg) played 63, while Embiid (28.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.4 bpg) lagged behind at 51.

Those circumstances may have swayed voters, but oddsmakers aren't hedging. They've already tabbed Jokic as the undisputed MVP.

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