Stephen A. Smith believes Joel Embiid should win MVP over Nikola Jokic: "I know Vegas is saying something different"

The NBA's MVP race has intensified over the past few weeks, specifically between Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid as the regular season nears its end.

"I know Vegas is saying something different," ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said on "First Take."

Smith compared how each of the MVP candidates look as he argued that even if Las Vegas would disagree with his stance, he sees the losing streak of the Denver Nuggets causing problems for Nikola Jokic's case for the MVP.

Jokic is averaging 24.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game, while shooting 62.8%, including 40.8% from 3-point range. As for Joel Embiid, he is also having an incredible season, averaging 33.4 ppg and 10.0 rpg, while shooting 53.9%, including 35.4% from 3-point range.

For the majority of the season, Nikola Jokic has led the Denver Nuggets (46-22) to quality wins as they hold the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference. However, the Denver Nuggets have also lost three straight, with some questioning Jokic's position in the MVP race.

Their latest loss came to the Brooklyn Nets in a 122-120 loss on Sunday, despite Jokic dropping an impressive triple-double statline of 35 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists.

The Nuggets' current losing streak, in comparison to the five-game winning streak of the Philadelphia 76ers (45-22), has made Smith voice his stance, with Joel Embiid being his current frontrunner.

The Philadelphia 76ers, who are third in the Eastern Conference, have won seven of their last 10 games. In that 10-game stretch, Joel Embiid averaged 34.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg and 4.4 apg.

Even with the rough stretch Jokic and the Nuggets are on, they have still won six of their last 10 games. But Jokic's current losing streak does Jokic no favors in his MVP campaign.

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