Top NBA First Basket Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (10/20)
We’ve got another two-game slate in the NBA. The Milwaukee Bucks will debut against the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Los Angeles Clippers will start their season against the Los Angeles Lakers.
We’ll look to identify the two first scorers in each game. I’ve got options for both games. Read below to find out where the value is in tonight’s First Basket market.
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Top NBA First Basket Odds, Picks & Predictions
Joel Embiid
Last year, Joel Embiid took Philadelphia’s first shot attempt 47% of the time. He was also top 10 in 1st three field goal attempts frequency and made 24 of 66 of the 76ers’ first field goal basket.
Embiid converted the first field goal made 13 of 66 times, giving him a conversion rate of 20% to make the first basket.
On Tuesday, Embiid took the first shot for the 76ers, but Celtics guard Jaylen Brown blocked it. Philadelphia tends to allow Embiid the chance of scoring the first play to start games. Take a chance on him tonight.
On the other hand, Milwaukee was more random with their first basket scorer. You’d think Giannis Antetookounmpo would be near the top of the list, but he didn’t even convert on many first baskets last year. We don’t have data for this year, but if you want to gamble on a third or the fourth option for Milwaukee, that’s fine.
Bet: Joel Embiid (+460 at FanDuel)
Kawhi Leonard
Anthony Davis
It’s a whole new dynamic for the Clippers this season. The Clippers will have Kawhi Leonard back, along with Paul George. We don’t have stats on Leonard since he didn’t play last year, but knowing he’s the number one option for the Clippers, I’d give him a chance.
The Clippers might want to get Leonard involved as early as possible to get him comfortable with the flow of the basketball game. This will be his first regular season game in over a year. But don’t forget just how good of a player he is.
On the other hand, Anthony Davis took the Lakers’ first field goal attempt in 39% of his 38 starts. Sure, it’s a small sample size. But the stats held true on Tuesday, with Davis converting on an easy layup just over 20 seconds into the season’s first game against the Warriors.
Davis already cashed a ticket in the first basket market. Last year, he converted on 21% of his starts. This is another solid spot for Davis to cash another ticket.
Bet: Kawhi Leonard (+600 at FanDuel)
Bet: Anthony Davis (+490 at FanDuel)
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