NBA Odds: Where’s Smart Money for Defensive POY?
Four-Player Race Too Close to Call
It’s a competitive betting market for the Defensive Player of the Year and NBA odds for betting are available.
At the top of the market is Marcus Smart, who firmed considerably in the betting on Monday. He looks to hold off the likes of Bam Adebayo, Rudy Gobert and Mikal Bridges for the honors.
Follow the Smart Money
Marcus Smart has always been a tough defender for the Boston Celtics, but he’s having a breakout season.
The former first-round pick doesn’t light up the scoring sheet, but it’s his defense that stands out above the rest.
His hustle is unrelenting and the 28-year-old has been heavily backed to win Defensive Player of the Year.
He was on the second line of betting before the Celtics played Toronto on Monday, but he has now firmed into +135 to win the title.
It’s a significant move, especially for an award that is voter-based. However, we think his odds will shorten and our NBA predictions see him polling first or second.
Given the Celtics’ remaining schedule, it should give Smart plenty of opportunities to showcase his defensive skills. The Celtics play some tough games where the defense will be key, so his odds could firm from +135 to an odds-on quote this week.
Bridges Attracting Attention
Another big mover in Defensive Player of the Year markets is Mikal Bridges, who wasn’t on the radar in preseason betting.
The Phoenix Suns player is being hailed as a great defender by rival coaches, including Doc Rivers. The Philadelphia 76ers coach believes that Bridges has a high IQ and he’s stubborn, which all great defenders are.
It’s high praise from a rival coach and it hasn’t been missed with NBA odds for betting. The guard is +300 to win the honor, and given that a month ago he wasn’t on the radar, it’s quite the turnaround.
The Suns are having plenty of success, which helps with individual awards. If Bridges continues to play well over the next two weeks, Bridges could snatch the title away from Smart.
Bam Goes the Dynamite
On the second line of betting is one-time favorite Bam Adebayo, who still has a terrific chance of winning Defensive Player of the Year.
The Miami Heat big man is one of the more versatile defensive players and he’s only 24, so he deserves all the credit he gets.
Adebayo’s modus operandi is providing big plays at the rim, which capture the attention. He isn’t the best horizontal defender, but getting shots up close to the rim is made harder by the length of his wingspan.
In the same mold as Rudy Gobert, Adebayo is a tough interior defender and he’s one of our best NBA bets to win the award.
Leaving Adebayo out of selections would be a mistake and bettors are now getting value odds.
Go for Gobert
Rudy Gobert is a mainstay in NBA odds for betting for Defensive Player of the Year.
The Utah Jazz defensive standout has had better seasons with the Jazz, but he’s still putting up impressive numbers and forcing opponents into taking bad shots.
Bettors might have to decide between taking Gobert or Adebayo, because they play a similar role on defense. There is more upside with Adebayo, but Gobert is a three-time winner of the award and he’s the defending champion.
He’s currently third in blocked shots behind Jaren Jackson Jr. and Robert Williams, but he has played fewer games. Time spent off the court could be his downfall, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Gobert winning a fourth title.
