The tears after a heart-breaking loss in 2019 at the hands of a quadruple doink...
The embarrassment after being swept out of the playoffs in the 2020 bubble...
To take a page out of an old Flyers playoff slogan, the 2020-21 version of Joel Embiid is on a mission with a look of “Vengeance” in his eyes.
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The versatile big man made a major statement this week averaging 40.0 points in two games vs. Boston. He’s one of three players (Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo) in the Top 10 of scoring averaging a double-double on the season.
Put all that into the equation and Embiid is skyrocketing up the charts for MVP, per NBC Sports Betting partner PointsBet.
Currently, he holds the 4th-shortest odds to take home the league’s highest honor at +800 ($10 bet to win $80). Just about a month ago before this season tipped off, Embiid was at +3300 ($10 bet to win $330) to win MVP.
However, it’s not all about offense for Embiid. The oddsmakers have taken notice of the force he is on the defensive side of the ball. On the eve of the season, Embiid was +1000 ($10 bet to win $100) to be named Defensive Player of the Year. His number has now improved to +650 ($10 bet to win $65), good for 4th on the list behind Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert and Myles Turner.
NBA
Another name to keep an eye on is Sixers sixth man Shake Milton. The third-year guard has scored in double-digits in 10 of 13 games. In the eight games prior to Friday night’s matchup with Boston, Milton averaged 20.0 points. Although it’s early in the 2020-21 season, Milton is pouring in 16.0 ppg, almost double what he scored a season ago.
Like Embiid, there was plenty of value to be had on Milton to take home Sixth Man of the Year honors. PointsBet had Milton listed at +2500 ($10 bet to win $250) at the jump of the season. He now holds the 3rd best odds at +700 ($10 bet to win $70) along with Terrence Ross. The two players ahead of them are Jordan Clarkson and Chris Boucher.
Embiid and Milton have plenty of time to move up the charts if they keep playing at this high level. All signs in the early going are pointing in the right direction.
If history means anything, all you have to do is look back at 2001 when the Sixers reached the NBA Finals and had the MVP (Allen Iverson), Defensive Player of the Year (Dikembe Mutombo), and Sixth Man of the Year (Aaron McKie).
Larry Brown also won Coach of the Year in 2001. Doc Rivers has the 4th-shortest odds at +1000 ($10 bet to win $100) to duplicate that feat. What better way to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the 2001 squad than to follow in its footsteps ... and take it one step further.
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