NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (1/8)
There are six opportunities on the board tonight to hit a first-basket scorer.
After reviewing all six games, I’ve found my favorite two spots for tonight’s first basket market. Let’s get right to it!
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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Utah Jazz have only won the tip 32% of the time this season. They’ve also hit the first field goal in only 27% of games and have attempted the game’s first field goal in 35% of matchups. It’s taken the Jazz nearly two field goal attempts to score their first field goal per game.
On the other hand, the Bucks have much better numbers. Milwaukee has earned the tip in 60% of games and has scored the first field goal nearly 50% of the time. Milwaukee has also attempted the game’s first field goal in 51% of games.
At home, the Bucks have a much stronger chance of winning the tip and scoring first. However, Damian Lillard won’t be playing in this game. The lineup will look a little different.
The Bucks will likely go with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Malik Beasley, and Pat Connaughton.
While Brook Lopez has taken 37% of the team’s first field goal attempts, he’s only scored the first field goal in 3% of games. He’s why the Bucks have a lower first field goal percentage. However, Giannis has only attempted the first field goal in 15% of games. But he’s also hit the team’s first field goal in 44% of games this year.
Antetokounmpo has earned the first field goal in 15 of 34 games this season. Without Lillard, look for the Bucks to get Giannis going early.
Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+950)
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have only won the tip in 36% of games this year. They’ve also hit the first field goal in 30% of games and have attempted the first field goal in 45% of matchups.
On the other hand, the Suns are much more efficient.
Phoenix has added the tip in 68% of games. While they’ve only scored the first field goal in 47% of matchups, they’ve still attempted the game’s first field goal in 65% of games. After all, the Suns have only needed to attempt 1.6 field goals before scoring first. The Clippers have needed 1.7.
Therefore, the probability is on Phoenix’s side.
It’s likely that Kevin Durant won’t play in the second game of a back-to-back. With Durant out, we’d figure Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkic, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, and Chimezie Metu will start in this game.
Nurkic currently leads the Suns in taking the team’s first field goal attempt. He’s attempted the first field goal in 34% of games and has nailed the team’s first field goal in 25% of matchups. He’s got eight first baskets made in 32 starts. Booker has one, and Beal has two.
Therefore, we’ll roll with Nurkic at +550.
Bet: Jusuf Nurkic (+550)
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