Friday's NBA action is a jam-packed slate with seven games on the schedule. This means there is a lot of opportunity to find plays for any NBA fan or bettor. If you're looking to get in on the action early, here are a few value first-basket plays.
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Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Props
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Clippers at Brooklyn Nets
The Clippers head to Brooklyn to take on the Nets. They're pretty massive favorites, and rightfully so. In addition to this massive spread, Los Angeles has a pretty good chance to score first. They've been pretty impressive all season in scoring first, but it's a strong matchup with the Nets that catches my eye.
Brooklyn gives up almost a quarter of their opponent’s first scores to centers, so I'll be backing Ivica Zubac. He's scored 11 first baskets on the season. In his 70 starts, he's taken the first shot for the Clippers in 34% of them. With the numbers Brooklyn is giving up and the season-long stats, Zubac is the play for the first basket in this matchup.
Pick: Ivica Zubac (+470)
New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks
On paper, this is a big matchup in the Eastern Conference, but the Bucks announced Damian Lillard is out indefinitely with a blood clot. Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Wednesday's contest with an injury, too. Antetokounmpo should be back soon. While he is questionable to play on Friday, there's a good chance he suits up.
If he does, I like the matchup with the Knicks. Although he's missed some significant time this year, he's still putting up impressive first-basket numbers. The Greek Freak has 19 team first baskets and 13 first baskets overall, two of the best marks in the league. The Knicks are a good matchup, giving up well over 40% of first scores to bigs. If Antetokounmpo is in the starting lineup, he's the first-basket play on Friday night.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+410)
