NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (4/5)
Friday’s NBA schedule is jam-packed. With just over a week left in the regular season, playoff and lottery positioning are up for grabs.
Many teams will look to get started with a First Basket. Here are a few of my favorite plays for the night.
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Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Orlando Magic @ Charlotte Hornets
Orlando is trying to secure a spot in the playoffs and avoid the Play-In Tournament. They get a favorable matchup with Charlotte on Friday and hope to rack up another win. The Magic will look to get off to a strong start, and against a team like Charlotte that allows its opponent to score first over 60% of the time, they should be able to do that.
One particular weakness for the Hornets comes against opposing forwards. They give up more first scores to the wings than any other position. This is welcomed news for a player like Franz Wagner. The young Magic star has come into his own this year and is helping lead the charge to the playoffs.
He isn't a stranger to this prop, either. On the season he's hit it nine times. With 18 first-team scores, it shows he gets plenty of opportunities. I like his chances to score another First Basket winner with this matchup on Friday night.
Bet: Franz Wagner (+550)
Sacramento Kings @ Boston Celtics
The Celtics have their sights set on making another NBA Finals and will host another playoff-bound team, the Kings. All season long, Boston has dominated the First Basket props. No team in the league scores first more than Boston, and when you look at their lineup, you easily realize why.
Sacramento is actually a little better than league average when it comes to scoring first, but I like Boston for two reasons. They're the best team in the league at cashing this prop, and Sacramento is weakest against opposing wings. It just so happens one of the Boston wings is one of the league's best First Basket scorers.
I have often highlighted Jaylen Brown. He's scored Boston's first points in almost one-third of his starts, which has led to 14 First Basket winners this season. I love this matchup for Brown, and I like him to cash the prop again on Friday.
Bet: Jaylen Brown (+480)
Golden State Warriors @ Dallas Mavericks
Golden State is holding onto its spot in the Play-In Tournament, while Dallas is looking to move into a first-round home-court advantage. The Mavericks are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, and they'll be looking to add to win on Thursday night. They've been one of the best First Basket teams all year, so I expect them to get off to a quick start.
Golden State has been around league average regarding First Baskets. Dallas, on the other hand, has been fantastic. I like Dallas to exploit one matchup here in particular.
Luka Doncic is surging toward a possible MVP finish. He hasn't exactly excelled at First Baskets like many stars in this league, but he's been solid. His nine First Baskets are backed by 17 first-team scores. He's more than capable of getting the action started on Friday, and with a possible MVP up for grabs, he may look to stuff the stat sheet.
Bet: Luka Doncic (+460)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Friday: