NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Friday (12/13)
Friday night provides a full slate of action with plenty of great angles on which to bet. First-basket props are an easy way to get in on the games early. For a fun, quick hitter, here are a few strong first-basket plays.
Also, make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today’s best prop bets.
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Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Props
Who will score the first basket in today’s NBA game? We compare historical first-basket stats to prop bet odds to help identify today’s best bets. View first-basket odds across sportsbooks here.
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia had a tough start to the season, but as they've continued to get healthy, their performances have improved. One aspect they're playing better in is first baskets. The 76ers have had a player cash this prop in 11 straight contests. I like them to make it 12 against Indiana.
The Pacers are hitting first baskets about 50% of the time, but they've cooled down significantly in recent weeks. Additionally, the position they've been giving up first baskets to the most is the forward position. This provides a great matchup for Paul George.
George, who has battled injuries throughout the year, has only started 12 games this season. However, he has already scored the first basket in four of those games. Against one of his former teams, he could have a little more motivation than usual. I'll back the matchup advantage and take George to score the first basket.
Pick: Paul George (+650)
Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz
The month of December has not been kind to the Suns. Injuries have started to ravage this rotation and led to three consecutive losses. On Friday, they'll travel to Utah, which only has five wins in the season.
As much as Utah has struggled in the other 47 minutes, the Jazz have been successful early in games regarding first baskets. Utah has scored first in nearly 60% of their games this season and has been rather consistent throughout the young season.
One player I'm targeting is Collin Sexton. He only has three first baskets this season, but he's scored the first team basket for Utah in twice as many games. Phoenix has had a soft spot on defense for opposing shooting guards all season. This is an excellent opportunity to get longer odds on a good matchup play.
Pick: Collin Sexton (+650)
San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers
Let's not mince words here-this is a fade of the Trail Blazers. San Antonio has scored first in fewer than half of its games this year and has been a tad bit colder in recent contests. However, few teams in the NBA have been as bad as the Trail Blazers. They have scored first in just six games this season-25% of their games.
When scouring the Spurs' lineup, a matchup stands out like a sore thumb. Portland has already given up first scores to small forwards seven times this season. San Antonio touts Julian Champagnie, who has scored first for San Antonio nine times in 24 starts.
Champagnie has been great at scoring first baskets all year, and the sportsbooks haven't quite caught up yet. Five of his nine first-team scores have gone down as first baskets, which leads the Spurs. With his success so far this year and the matchup with Portland, he's one of Friday night’s best bets to score the first basket.
Pick: Julian Champagnie (+750)