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Joel Embiid has finished second in the MVP voting each of the last two seasons. His recent play suggests he’s ready to finally get over the hump. His Sixers are the hottest team in basketball and Embiid is on an absolute tear—and oddsmakers are certainly taking notice.

Joel Embiid’s NBA MVP odds have shrunk over the last few weeks, getting as low as +250 at BetMGM Sportsbook and holding steady around +350 behind Nikola Jokic heading into the All-Star break.

Joel Embiid MVP Odds: Scoring, Victories Lead to Surge

Embiid’s raw numbers have been stellar all year, but he had two factors working against him early: He missed eight games before Thanksgiving and the Sixers began the year 0-3, 8-8, and then fell to 12-12 in an overtime loss to the lowly Rockets. Embiid had games of 59, 42, and 40 points in that span — but MVP talk was nowhere to be found.

But starting with an overtime win over LeBron James and the Lakers on Dec. 9, Embiid and the Sixers have been elite. Philadelphia has won 24 of its last 31 games, and Embiid is averaging an NBA-best 33.4 points on 54% shooting and 10.2 rebounds.

He’s had a number of outstanding games in this stretch—53 points against the Hornets; 44 points against the Clippers; 48 points against the Wizards—but he saved perhaps his best for MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic: Embiid had 47 points and 18 rebounds in a victory over the Nuggets, who lead the West.

One game won’t decide an MVP race, but it was a fitting performance that encapsulated just how good Embiid has been the last two months.

Embiid vs. Top NBA MVP Contenders

Four players have led the MVP race from a pure odds standpoint: Jokic (currently), Dallas’ Luka Doncic, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Boston’s Jayson Tatum. All four also have legitimate arguments to still be in the race:

Nikola Jokic: The two-time reigning MVP is again putting up monstrous numbers—and now it’s leading to victories. Denver is atop the West and Jokic is averaging a triple-double.

Luka Doncic: The 23-year-old is arguably the game’s best player, putting up gaudy numbers while keeping Dallas afloat in the West playoff race. Now with Kyrie Irving as his sidekick, Doncic could have more free space to work — and rack up MVP-like stats.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: He’s been somewhat quiet, but Antetokounmpo is averaging a career-high in points and has the Bucks within shouting distance of the top-seeded Celtics. He’s doing it all while injuries pile up for Milwaukee and has already tallied three 50+ point games this season.

Jayson Tatum: The best player on the league’s best team, Tatum is averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, and threes. Boston has scuffled lately, but a 60-win season would put Tatum squarely in the mix.