Back to MVP favorite: Luka Doncic’s 60-point history might change more than betting odds

Luka Doncic is the new MVP favorite after his 60-point, 21-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in the Mavericks’ Tuesday night thriller over the New York Knicks.

Luka Doncic is the new favorite to win NBA MVP. He is ahead of Jayson Tatum, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant. Jason Kidd is impressed with his player.   The Mavericks are having a mediocre season. They are also having an unusual season in terms of winning.

ESPN released the first of its three mid-season MVP "straw polls" on Dec. 16. It surveyed 100 reporters across U.S. and international outlets.

ESPN's first batch of results show that the voters picked the best player from one of the top teams.

Luka Doncic is the favorite to win the MVP award. Jayson Tatum got 47 first-place votes.

Luka Doncic is the favorite to win the MVP award. Giannis Antetokounmpo is second.

Luka Doncic is the favorite for the MVP award. He is ahead of Steph Curry, Denver's Jokic and Brooklyn's Durant. The difference between them and Don cic lies in their supporting cast. Tatum plays with Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and a Celtics team that reached the NBA Finals last season. JOKic plays alongside Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon. Don Cic played all but 12 seconds of the 29 minutes after halftime in the Mavericks' win over the Knicks. The team has lost all three times they have rested him this season, including at home to the Houston Rockets.