Who is the frontrunner to win Defensive Player of the Year?

The Milwaukee Bucks have the best defensive efficiency in the Eastern Conference and the Los Angeles Lakers have the best defensive efficiency in the Western Conference. This has Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo as the leading candidates to take the Defensive Player of the Year Award according the odds at DK Sportsbook.

Who Should be Favored to Win DPOY?

According to the odds, AD is the current favorite at -152. Given how he’s turned around the Lakers’ defense, I think it’s reasonable to think of him as the favorite. Not only are the Lakers first in the West in defensive efficiency, this team did not have a good defense last season. He’s totally changed them on that end of the court. The only issue I have is that I think the odds are a bit too wide. I don’t think he makes for the best bet.

Giannis has been charging up the odds and is currently in second at +275 to win the award. For most of the season, Rudy Gobert has been the candidate with the second best odds, but he’s currently third at +350. Given how the Utah Jazz have struggled on defense lately, I don’t consider him a threat to win the award. As for Giannis, I think his odds make him the best bet at the moment. Not only do the Bucks have the overall top defense in the league, the Greek Freak’s value is obvious. Milwaukee allows 7.3 more points per 100 possessions when he’s off the court and he’s third in the league in Defensive Real Plus-Minus.

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