Jaren Jackson Jr. has retaken the role as favorite in 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds.
Jackson’s historic defensive season has kept up over the course of the season, but he lost ground over the past month in terms of odds to win DPOY to Bucks big man Brook Lopez. However, JJJ has emerged as the odds on favorite once again, aloing side the Bucks big man, with six games left to play in the season.
The Grizzlies are third in defensive rating this season, but no player has a better on court defensive rating than when Jackson Jr. is on the floor, his 104.9 mark is more than two points better than the second best player, Giannis Antetokounmpo (107.3). That is the same difference between Antetokounmpo and the ninth best defensive rating for a player.
Jaren Jackson Jr. leads the NBA in:
— Bryson (@BrysonWright3) March 30, 2023
Blocks per game (3.1)
Defensive Rating (105.7)
Opponent FG% (42.8%)
BLK% (9.8%) - 4th best season in NBA history
The Grizzlies were 20th in defensive rating without him and are 1st since he returned
The DPOY race should be over. pic.twitter.com/QmLDo02ajZ
The Bucks have the second best defensive rating, but Lopez shares the floor with Antetokounmpo and arguably the best defensive guard in the league in Jrue Holiday, while JJJ has been the anchor to the third best defense in the league, decimals off the league lead.
Here are the updated odds that have Jackson Jr. and Lopez tied atop the board with a handful of games remaining.
2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.