Three Things to Know: Joel Embiid makes MVP case leading 76ers past Bucks

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ESPN’s Tim Bontemps conducted a straw poll of potential MVP voters and found Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic in a near dead heat at the top, with Giannis Antetokounmpo a step back in third but within striking distance, then a big drop off to everyone else. It’s a three-man race for MVP with two months to go in the season.

Thursday night, Joel Embiid made his case: 42 points, 14 rebounds and five assists leading the 76ers to a 123-120 win.

While the MVP is a cumulative, season-long award the winner needs a couple of statement games to stick in voters’ minds, this was one for Embiid, who outdueled Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. But down the stretch, it was Embiid hitting the one-legged, Dirk-like fadeaway, and it was Embiid playing good defense on Antetokounmpo at points.

One quick note, don’t pretend this is a potential playoff series preview because both of these teams will look very different come May. The 76ers are still waiting on James Harden‘s debut after the trade (Feb. 25 is the target date). The Bucks were without Brook Lopez, George Hill, Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen and DeAndre' Bembry.

It still was a quality win for the 76ers. On a night some teams mailed it in like it was the last day of school before spring break, the 76ers and Bucks were focused.

Embiid got some help from Tyrese Maxey, who sparked a second quarter 76ers run to get back in it after falling behind early. Maxey had 16 first-half points, and was getting