NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Friday (11/1)

The NBA season is in full swing. Friday night provides a full slate of action with plenty of great angles to bet on. For a fun quick hitter, here are a few solid first-basket scorer picks.

Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bets

New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons

New York made headlines late in the offseason by acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns after losing big man Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency and Mitchell Robinson to injury. With Towns taking the opening tips, New York has only won one all year and have had just one first-basket score as a result. On Friday, they'll go up against a Detroit team that has performed pretty well early on this season as well as last year.

Detroit was above average in 2023-24, scoring first in over 50% of the games they played. They have scored first in four of their five games this season. The offense has been led by point guard Cade Cunningham, who is averaging 25.6 points per game (PPG) in the early going.

Cunningham scored first for the Pistons in about a quarter of his starts last year and was able to cash in on nine first baskets. He's already added another this season. He’s a strong play today in a matchup against a Knicks team that gave up first scores to point guards in about 25% of games last year.

Pick: Cade Cunningham (+650)

Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets

One of the surest first-basket bets last season was Jaylen Brown. There's no reason to feel any different this year. Brown has already nailed one first-basket score in the early season to add to the massive success he had last year.

In 2024, Brown had 20 first-basket cashes in the regular season and playoffs combined. That number was one of the best in the league. This is even more impressive when you consider how many strong scorers are in the Boston rotation.

The matchup tonight against Charlotte is positive for Brown. The Hornets were susceptible to forwards last year when it came to first baskets. Jaylen Brown is as strong as they come in that respect. One of the best first-basket scorers last year is also one of the strongest plays on Friday.

Pick: Jaylen Brown (+500)

Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers

The Magic and Cavaliers squared off in a competitive playoff series last year. With both teams poised to make noise in the Eastern Conference again this season, this game could go a long way in deciding how things shape out.

Cleveland is one of the best jump ball teams in the NBA. Last season, center Jarrett Allen, won nearly 75% of every opening tip he took. There is a strong correlation between winning the opening tip and scoring the first basket, so it's no surprise Cleveland was also a very strong first-basket team.

No one on the Cavaliers roster was better at cashing this prop than Donovan Mitchell. He had 15 first baskets between the regular season and playoffs. He hasn't recorded a first basket yet this season, but he had a first-team score in their last game against the Lakers. On Friday, I'll be backing him to finally score a first basket this season.

Pick: Donovan Mitchell (+500)