Phoenix Suns’ Mikal Bridges nears top of NBA’s DPOY betting odds
Apr 2, 2022, 9:34 AM
It is no secret that Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges is one of the best defenders in the NBA, but the betting odds currently have him with the third-best chance to steal the league’s Defensive Player of the Year title.
FanDuel Sportsbook gives Bridges +390 odds, just behind Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart at +135 and Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo at +270.
The Suns have the second best defensive rating in the NBA at 106.6, only behind the Golden State Warriors’ mark of 106.1, according to NBA.com.
Bridges is normally assigned to the opposing team’s best player on a nightly basis and currently ranks third on the team in steals with 1.2 per game.
The do-it-all forward also ranks first in the league for minutes played at 2,736 and second for defensive distance covered per game at 1.3 miles.
He also has played in every single game for Phoenix since he was drafted in 2018 with five games remaining this season.
He currently sits ahead of Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert, Milwaukee Bucks big man Giannis Antetokounmpo and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
Gobert has taken home three of the last four awards, while Antetokounmpo won once.
No Phoenix player has ever been given the award since its birth in the 1982-83 season.
