New 2023 NBA DPOY Betting Preview

There are always two parts to a team sport, offense and defense. And while the former receive more recognition and spotlight, the latter is just as important. In our betting preview, we listed the five favorites for the 2023 NBA DPOY. Each of them is a true force on the other side of the court.

If things don’t change too much until the end of the season we could see a new recipient of the DPOY award. Some of these candidates are from the best defensive teams in the league, while the others are alone, swimming against the tide. Check out how the race stands for the 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, as of December 13.

The Mountaintop must be Lonely for Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez has been with the Bucks since 2018 but this could be his best season in Milwaukee so far. The 34-year-old center has started in 25 of the Bucks’ 26 games, as of December 13. After missing out on much of last season things are looking better for Lopez. He’s playing 31.2 minutes per game, the third most on the team.

But what Lopez stands out from the crowd is when it comes to blocks. He’s averaging 2.9 BPG and is the league leader in the category. Only three other players are averaging above 2.0 blocks per game so far. His odds for the 2023 NBA DPOY are EVEN on Bovada, which means he’s way ahead of the competition. This also means that most betting previews will have him as the favorite.

Steals are Part of the Defense and OG Anunoby is here to Remind Everyone

25-year-old Anunoby has been the Raptors’ most reliable player this season. The forward has started in 26 of Toronto’s 27 games so far. He’s also leading the Raptors in minutes played, attempted and made field goals, steals, fouls, and points. So there’s a little bit of everything here but that tends to happen if you play more.

The reason why Anunoby is second on this list is mainly due to him being the league leader in steals. He’s leading the league with 2.4 SPG. De’Anthony Melton is the only other player with more than 2.0 steals per game. Most online sportsbook sites in the US have Anonuby in the top three favorites for the Defensive Player of the Year award. His odds are +450.

Giannis Antetokounmpo could Pick up His 2nd NBA DPOY Award

Giannis already won the DPOY in 2020 and he’s making an impressive case for it again this year. Along with Brook Lopez, the Bucks might have the most effective and impressive defensive duo in the league. Antetokounmpo probably has a better shot at winning the MVP again so we’ll only list his defensive stats.

The 28-year-old leads his team in defensive and total rebounds with 9.3 and 11.3 per game, respectively. Additionally, he’s also averaging 0.9 SPG and 1.0 BPG on 33.2 minutes per game. Now, this isn’t Giannis’ best defensive season but his presence is reflected in the Bucks’ performance. We wouldn’t be surprised if the forward makes it into the final three for the 2023 NBA DPOY. His odds to win are +600 on Bovada.

Lakers’ Inconsistency is Hurting AD’s Chances – 2023 NBA DPOY Betting Preview

AD has been the best player on the Lakers this season. We know, it’s hard to accept. But the team is still full of flaws and we don’t know where to put them. However, when they win, Davis balls out every time he’s on the court. Too bad the Lakers do badly on the defensive end most of the time.

The Brow is the league leader in total rebounds and is second only to Giannis in defensive rebounds. He’s averaging 12.4 TRB and 9.4 DRB on 33.4 minutes per game. Davis is also 3rd in blocks in the league with 2.2 BPG. Something that goes unnoticed too many times is efficiency. AD is also the most efficient player in the NBA. His odds for the 2023 NBA DPOY however are +1000, which puts him too far from the other favorites.

Bright Future for Evan Mobley and the Cavs – 2023 NBA DPOY Betting Preview

Evan Mobley is the 5th player whose odds are better/exactly +1000 for this award. It’s hard to imagine the sophomore power forward winning DPOY but he’s been putting up some impressive stats. The Cavs also showed glimpses of promise last year but they’re piping hot this season. Mobley and co. are 3rd in the East with a 17-11 record and are expected to make the playoffs. But let’s see some defense.

As of 13 December, the Cavs are holding their opponents to an average of 105.1 points, the best in the league. They also have the second-highest defensive rating in the NBA. Mobley contributes to this with 9.5 RPG, 0.8 SPG, and 1.4 BPG. He’s also one of the most important players on the Cavs roster as he started in every single game so far this season. You can follow his progress on Bovada.

Click here to try the best odds at Bovada Sportsbook