Top NBA First Basket Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (12/16)
Let’s take a look at Friday’s slate of NBA games and find some First Basket prop winners.
- NBA Player Prop Bet Rankings, Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top 3 NBA Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions
- NBA Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
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Sacramento Kings at Detroit Pistons
For the whole season, both of these teams have been pretty poor at scoring first baskets. More recently though the Kings have had success. They’ve had one of the better offenses in the league and against a poor defense like Detroit’s they are the right team to target. I’m going to make two plays in this game.
De’Aaron Fox is my first play. He’s been the Kings’ leading scorer on the season and in turn has scored the most first field goals on the year for the team. I like him to attack a very young starting backcourt for the Pistons and try to get into rhythm early.
Domantis Sabonis is my other play. The Pistons have made a move recently to insert rookie Jalen Duren into the starting lineup. I like Sabonis to take advantage of the young kid and try to impose his will early. If, however, the Pistons go back to Marvin Bagley I like this matchup even more. Bagley could be likely to press against his old team that he held a little animosity towards. Either way, Sabonis is going to be great value.
Pick: De’Aaron Fox (+700)
Domantas Sabonis (+550)
Golden State Warriors at Philadelphia 76ers
It’s been no secret that the Warriors have been atrocious on the road this season. One reason why is their defense has not traveled, and I don’t expect this to change Friday night in Philadelphia.
Because of this, I’m targeting Joel Embiid for First Basket. This is a nationally televised game and I expect Embiid to look to put on a show. The Warriors will be down Curry and possibly Green who is questionable so a shaky road defense may end up in even worse shape.
Expect Embiid to take control on the offensive end all game and it should start right from the jump with the First Basket
Pick: Joel Embiid (+290)
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
This will be the second meeting in three nights for these two teams. In the first matchup the Knicks pulled away in overtime to get the win. They were led by performances by Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. I’ll be targeting the latter on Friday night.
Even with adding the free agent point guard Brunson, Randle has still been the straw that stirs the drink in New York. When it comes to First Baskets, Randle has been the guy as well. He’s scored the Knicks’ first field goal in 13 of 28 games and he’s been attempting 1.4 of the first three field goal attempts (an indicative stat for First Basket) for the Knicks over his last 10 starts. I just don’t expect much to change in his role in this game.
Randle should pick up right where he left off Wednesday night and that starts with cashing at First Basket
Picks: Julius Randle (+600)
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