TheNBA As the NBA season nears its final stretch, excitement builds around the outcomes of the Rookie of the Year race.Toronto Raptors Scottie Barnes, a standout forward, is recognized as one of the top candidates for the coveted rookie award.
Evan Mobley, a forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, currently has the most favorable odds to win this title at -650, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Following him is Barnes with odds at +500, while Cade Cunningham from the Detroit Pistons, who was the first overall pick in 2021, comes in third at +600.Ontario sports betting To earn $100 from a bet on Mobley, one would need to wager $650. By contrast, a $100 bet on Barnes could yield $500 if he secures the award. Most analysts agree that the competition is mainly between Mobley, Barnes, and Cunningham, as they are the only players with betting odds below +1000.
On Thursday, the NBA revealed that Barnes has been honored as the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February, marking him as the 10th Toronto Raptor to achieve this recognition. If Barnes wins the Rookie of the Year award, which will be announced in June, he would join the ranks of Raptors legends Vince Carter and Damon Stoudemire.DraftKings Sportsbook Ontario .
In Ontario, betting is currently allowed only through PROLINE+, but a fully competitive betting market is set to open on April 4.
Barnes, a 20-year-old forward, has been impressive this season, averaging 15 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He has been a consistent starter in all 56 games he has played, averaging just over 35 minutes on the court.
NBA Rookie of the Year Contenders
| Player | Key Stats | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers | 14.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg | -650 |
| Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors | 15 ppg, 7.6 rpg | +500 |
| Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons | 16.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg | +600 |
| Josh Giddey, OKC Thunder | 12.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg | +1800 |
| Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic | 15.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg | +3000 |
Odds are courtesy of DraftKings.
Barnes a Triple Threat
The Raptors drafted him fourth overall in the 2021 draft following a strong freshman year at Florida State, where he played a key role in leading the Seminoles to the Sweet 16 in March. His earlier collegiate success has seamlessly translated into his professional achievements.
Currently, the Raptors hold a playoff position in the Eastern Conference, boasting a record five games above .500. This success could influence the voting decisions, as both Mobley and Barnes are headed for the playoffs, while Cunningham’s team is not.
While Cunningham’s average of 16.6 points per game could make a strong case for his award candidacy, voters will also consider how each player contributes to their team’s performance.
As part of their weekly updates, the NBA released the KIA Rookie Ladder Rankings on March 9, showing Mobley in the top position, a trend he's maintained for much of the season. Cunningham recently surpassed Barnes for second place following a series of four consecutive games scoring over 20 points. Following Barnes are Franz Wagner from the Orlando Magic and Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mobley Leads NBA ROY Rankings
Wagner and Giddey are the only other players with better than +10000 odds for the award. Giddey has stood out among Western Conference rookies, securing the Rookie of the Month title for four months in a row. Sadly, he is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks due to hip pains, which may lead to him being shut down for the remainder of the season, significantly diminishing his chances.
The Rookie of the Year award is set to be revealed during the NBA Awards ceremony in June, and fans and bettors in Ontario are eager to see Barnes associated with the same prestigious title as Raptors icons Carter and Stoudemire.
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