First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/3)

by Cameron Lynch |
Jan 03, 2023

There are three NBA games tonight. The quickest way to get into the action is first-basket betting. Betting the first basket is one of the most simple bets in sports betting. Pick the player to score the first basket of the basketball game to win.

Let us look into the matchups tonight to find the best first-basket bets. Don't blink, or you might miss it.

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First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/3)

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Washington Wizards

One of the top factors in first-basket betting is predicting who will win the first possession. First possession allows that team to get the first opportunity to score. The Milwaukee Bucks are better at winning the first possession than the Washington Wizards. That gives the Bucks an advantage tonight,

The next part of first-basket betting is a player that can consistently score. That player for the Bucks is Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is a top player in the NBA and averages 32.1 points, plus he shoots 53.3%, which means he consistently puts his shots in the basket. All this means Giannis Antetokounmpo has betting value tonight against the Wizards.

First Basket: Giannis Antetokounmpo +260 via DraftKings

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Boston Celtics

The Oklahoma City Thunder have improved this season compared to last year. They have a young core that looks like they could be a tough team to beat in the coming years. However, tonight they face the best team in the NBA. The Thunder have improved, but the Celtics still have the advantage tonight.

The Thunder's young core is no match for the proven talent of the Celtics: Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown. They can both score anytime they want and Tatum might be the best player in the NBA this year. Tatum shoots at one of the highest volumes in the NBA and that will make him the best player to score the first basket tonight.

First Basket: Jayson Tatum +360 via FanDuel

Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings

The Utah Jazz is the more consistent team at winning the first possession. They have the more consistent scorers on their team too. That means they have the best opportunity tonight to score first.

The best player to score first in this matchup is Lauri Markkanen. Both these teams spread out their scoring more than most teams in the NBA, but Markkanen is the best chance tonight. Lower the number of units placed on Markkanen because of that but there is a betting upside to Markkanen.

First Basket: Lauri Markkanen +480 via FanDuel

Whether you're new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section - including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners - or head to more advanced strategies - like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread - to learn more.

View 5-star bets and historical prop performance by player with our Prop Bet Analyzer >>

All opening tip and first basket data courtesy of NBA First Basket (@NBAFirstBasket)

Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.

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First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/3)

First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/3)

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