NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (2/23)
We’re back from the All-Star Weekend with a second straight NBA-filled schedule. There are 10 games on the slate tonight to excite any NBA fan.
Let’s get this weekend started with a few of my favorite First Basket plays.
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Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers could be in trouble in the second half of the season with Joel Embiid remaining out. Cleveland comes to town as the hottest Eastern Conference team leading into the All-Star break. This stretch has been led by their all-star guard Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell is the player that gets the offense going on most nights. He has already scored the first field goal for the Cavaliers in 18 of his 44 starts. This has also led to him scoring 11 First Baskets on the season, one of the best marks in the league. His elite play and success at First Baskets is one of the reasons the Cavaliers as a team are one of the best.
Philadelphia has struggled against shooting guards when it comes to First Baskets. They’ve allowed more opponent first scores to shooting guards than any other position. This is an excellent matchup for Mitchell.
The only concern here is that Mitchell missed last night’s contest with an illness. The extra day off could do him wonders. If he is in the starting lineup on Friday, he’s a must-play for a First Basket.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell (+480)
Milwaukee Bucks @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota was one of the biggest surprise stories in the first half for their stellar play, earning them the pole position for the Western Conference’s one seed. Their team defense has been fantastic. They’ll host another team that made headlines in the first half of the season, the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee is looking to put the first half behind them. A team full of stars that admittedly underachieved, they’ll look to turn the page immediately. There is no better time to back them for First Basket. They’re already one of the best teams in the league regarding the prop, and no one is better than their superstar forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“The Greek Freak†has already accounted for 16 first-team field goals for the Bucks on the season. This has translated to nine First Baskets. I like him to get his 10th in a matchup with a Minnesota defense that has allowed forwards to score first at a pretty decent clip.
Milwaukee needs to flip a switch here in the second half. There is no one better to drive that engine forward than Giannis.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+380)
Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trailblazers
Nikola Jokic heads into the second half of the season as the favorite to win his third MVP award. His stellar play has been on display all year as he tries to lead the Nuggets to a second consecutive NBA Championship. On Friday night, the Trailblazers will try to get in his way. The numbers suggest they won’t have much success.
Like many teams, Portland gives up first opponent scores to big men more than any other position. Jokic is a particularly difficult matchup, given his bag of tricks. Denver likes to go to him early and he usually delivers, which is a plus.
He’s had quite a bit of success when it comes to First Baskets. Jokic has already scored first for Denver 20 times this year. That’s a mark that is near tops in the league. This has resulted in a cool 13 First Basket prop cashes on the season. There’s every reason to think he can get No. 14 on Friday night.
Pick: Nikola Jokic (+450)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Friday: