NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Monday (12/16)
Enjoy tonight’s six-game slate. There is just one NBA Cup game tomorrow and no games scheduled for Wednesday.
With a limited amount of games over the next two days, let’s make it count tonight with two first-basket props.
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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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
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.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets
Jarrett Allen of the Cavaliers will compete in the first tip against Nic Claxton of the Nets.
Allen has already earned the tip once against Claxton this season. He’s also won the tip in 85% of games this season, which has resulted in the Cavaliers scoring first 65% of the time.
On the other hand, Claxton has missed a lot of action this season. Still, he’s started 11 games and has won the tip in 55% of games. Ultimately, the Nets have only scored the first basket in 36% of games.
It’s way more likely Allen wins the tip and the Cavaliers get the first shot attempt.
With that said, the Nets have allowed the first basket to centers 31% of the time this season. Small forwards are right behind with the first basket 25% of the time.
Those are the positions we’ll want to target.
Allen has scored the first basket in 12% of games this year, but he’s attempted the team’s first basket in 15% of games. He’s not attempting the first basket at the highest rate this season, but he’s got a solid matchup early against the Nets tonight. Let’s give him a try at +490 odds.
Pick: Jarrett Allen (+490)
Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors
The Chicago Bulls rarely win the tip with Nikola Vucevic. The Bulls center has added the tip in 8% of games despite starting in 25 matchups.
The Bulls have scored first in only 15% of games.
Meanwhile, he’ll go up against Jakob Poeltl of the Raptors, who has won the tip in 50% of games. Better yet, the Raptors have scored the first basket in 62% of games this year.
The Raptors have the advantage heading into this one. Oddly enough, the Bulls have allowed the first basket to centers 50% of the time this season. The best thing you can do when betting on the first basket market is fade Vucevic. He’s bad at earning the tip and defending after the tip.
Poeltl has scored the team’s first basket in 29% of games this season. He’s also come through with three first baskets in 24 games this season. Let’s roll with him tonight.
Pick: Jakob Poeltl (+490)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: