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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (12/29)

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We’ve got a ten-game slate in the NBA tonight!

It’s Friday, so we’re ready to start the weekend off right.

I’m looking at multiple first basket props on tonight’s board. I’m feeling good about tonight. Let’s get right to it!

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    Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

    (Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

    New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic

    The Orlando Magic have only won the tip in  33% of games this season. They’ve also nailed the first field goal in 37% of matchups and have attempted the first field goal in 40% of games.

    It’s taken the Magic two shots per game to score their first field goal per game.

    On the other hand, the Knicks have basically doubled Orlando’s output. The Knicks have added the tip in 60% of games and have scored the first field goal in 60% of matchups. On top of that, New York has attempted the game’s first field goal in 60% of games.

    Would you rather bet on a 60% chance or a 33% chance? That’s an easy one.

    The Knicks should win the tip and shoot the ball first. They’ve got a higher probability of scoring the first field goal.

    Jalen Brunson has attempted the team’s first field goal in 50% of games and has added the team’s first field goal in 30% of matchups.

    He’s hit the first field goal in nine of 30 games this season. He’s also hit three first field goals in the last 10.

    Bet: Jalen Brunson (+700)

    Sacramento Kings vs. Atlanta Hawks

    The Hawks are really struggling to win the tip first. Atlanta has won the tip in 27% of games this season. That’s basically one out of four games where the Hawks win the tip and start the game with the ball.

    Atlanta has taken the game’s first field goal attempt in only 23% of matchups this season. They’ve also hit the first field goal in 47% of games.

    However, compare that to Sacramento. The Kings have also won the tip in only 28% of games. Still, the Kings have scored the first field goal in 59% of games.

    The Kings are way more efficient in scoring the basketball early in the game. They’ve only needed 1.3 field goal attempts per game to score the first basket.

    The Kings have a higher chance than usual of winning the tip. But they’re also terrific defensively on the first possession and usually score on their first possession on offense.

    While Domantas Sabonis leads the team with eight first field goals and 28% of the team’s first field goals, De’Aaron Fox has attempted the team’s first field goal in 35% of games. He’s hit six first field goals this season and has scored the team’s first field goal in 26% of games.

    Fox is the value play here.

    Bet: De’Aaron Fox (+700)

    Make sure to check out our other best bets for Friday:

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