By Chris Havlicek Contributor
Updated 12/26/23 1:58am ET
The NBA betting market is responding to Minnesota’s defensive turnaround, as center Rudy Gobert is now an odds-on -150 favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Timberwolves currently own the league’s top defense, after ranking 13th in defensive efficiency last season. Gobert is among the leaders in rebounds, blocks and individual defensive rating, positioning himself to become just the third player ever to win this award four times.
Centers and forwards have typically dominating the award’s voting. Marcus Smart was a surprise winner in 2022, as he became the first guard to win it since Gary Payton in 1996.
Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace are the only four-time winners in NBA history.
NBA DPOY Award Odds: (Courtesy of FanDuel)
Rudy Gobert -150
Anthony Davis +650
Chet Holmgren +900
Joel Embiid +2000
Jaren Jackson Jr. +2600
Bam Adebayo +2600
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock
