NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Monday (3/10)
Tonight’s 12-game slate will yield us 12 first-basket scorers. I’ll look to add at least one first basket scorer to our betting portfolio tonight. Here are our top NBA first basket scorer picks and predictions for Monday’s games.
Follow along and 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
Who will score the first basket in today’s NBA games? 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 FanDuelFanDuel Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Los Angeles Lakers should have Jaxson Hayes back in the lineup tonight. He’s won the opening tip in 67% of 18 tries this season. Meanwhile, he’ll take on Nic Claxton of the Nets, who has won the tip in just 46% of games this season. His low rate has hurt the Nets in this first basket category. The Nets have only scored first in 43% of games.
In addition, Hayes has already earned the tip against Claxton in a game earlier this season.
That said, the Nets have allowed the first basket to shooting guards 28% of the time. No other position has scored the first basket more than 19% of the time against the Nets.
Ultimately, it’ll be Austin Reaves getting the start at shooting guard for the Lakers. Reaves currently leads the Lakers by taking 35% of the team’s first field goal attempt. He’s also added nine first baskets this season and has scored the team’s first basket in 25% of games.
At +700, Austin Reaves is the most valuable play in this Lakers-Nets matchup.
Pick: Austin Reaves (+700)
Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Dallas Mavericks are without many of their bigs. Therefore, P.J. Washington will be participating in tonight’s opening tip. He’s only attempted the first basket three times this season but has won the opening tip in just one of those three games.
On the other hand, the Spurs no longer have Victor Wembanyama and will use Bismack Biyombo for tonight’s tip. He’s already been involved in the opening tip ten times this season and has won six of them.
It’s more likely the Spurs will gain possession first, which would give them an edge in scoring first. Dallas has also allowed the first basket to shooting guards 32% of the time.
With Chris Paul starting at point guard, De’Aaron Fox is now the shooting guard for the Spurs. Fox has taken the team’s first field goal attempt in 30% of games this season. He’s also scored the first basket in six games this year. He’s played for the Spurs and Kings, but is still very familiar with scoring the first basket. Let’s give him a try at +370.
Pick: De’Aaron Fox (+370)