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Breaking down updated NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds during the break

We take a look at how the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year odds have shifted. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis are the frontrunners.

Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate a Davis blocked shot against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on February 21, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.  Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis have been neck and neck in the NBA’s Defensive Players of the Year race this season, and time the time to vote on a winner is approaching. Davis has long been the favorite in his first year with the Los Angeles Lakers, but Antetokounmpo has come surging forward since the season was halted in March. It’s unclear which player will come out on top, but we break down the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook here.

2020 NBA DPOY Odds June Update

Player Odds on 3/2 Current Odds
Player Odds on 3/2 Current Odds
Giannis Antetokounmpo +275 -230
Anthony Davis -152 +150
Rudy Gobert +350 +2500
Patrick Beverley OTB +10000
Joel Embiid +5000 +10000

Davis was favored at -152 in early March, but has dropped to +150 as Antetokounmpo jumped into the lead by moving from +275 to -230. Both players have the kind of length and mobility that can transform the defensive potential of their respective teams. Davis has the edge in blocks and steals, but Antetokounmpo leads the NBA in defensive win shares (.206). It doesn’t seem like much can be done to make one candidate stand out over the other.

Rudy Gobert had the third best odds (+350) in March but has plummeted to +2500. Some might be tempted to put money on him as a reasonable long shot, but I don’t think he can do enough to get back in the hunt with such little time left. Patrick Beverley (+10000) isn’t worth a look at all, as he wasn’t even on the books before the break. His impact isn’t close to matching any of the players mentioned before — especially playing alongside an elite two-way wing like Kawhi Leonard.

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