NBA First Basket Scorer Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Warriors vs. Magic (Thursday)
The NBA only has a two-game slate on the horizon tonight.
Luckily, Houston and Philadelphia aren’t playing in the NBA tonight.
Philadelphia and Houston are playing a Game 5 in the MLB World Series and will play in Thursday Night Football simultaneously. I feel for those fans. I hope most of you have multiple televisions.
Anyway, with the two-game slate, it’s our job to figure out who will score first in each.
Here are four potential options for tonight’s NBA First Basket market. And here’s a closer look at my top picks for Warriors vs. Magic.
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
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NBA First Basket Scorer Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Warriors vs. Magic
The Orlando Magic have only won the tip 25% of their first eight games. It’s likely that the Warriors, who have won the tipoff 50% of the time, will start the game with the ball.
They’ve needed just 1.9 shots to score their first field goal, while the Magic have needed 2.6 shots. However, both teams score the first field goal 62.5% of the time.
Wiggins scored the first field goal twice for the Warriors and the first basket for Golden State in three games. He’s averaging 1.13 shots per the first three shots of each game.
Paolo Banchero is the best choice for the Magic if you’re backing the Magic to score first. He’s also scored two first baskets for the Magic and has three of the team’s first field goals to start the season. Banchero has scored 1.25 shots per the first three shots by the Magic.
You can’t go wrong with either one of these options. Just don’t get fooled with Steph Curry at +460 odds. He hasn’t taken a first field-goal attempt this season and hasn’t made a first field goal for the Warriors all season.
Bet: Paolo Banchero (+550)
Bet: Andrew Wiggins (+700)
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