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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (10/30)

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There are 11 games on Monday’s NBA slate. Therefore, there will be 11 different players scoring first tonight. We have to find at least one to profit from, so I’ve got a couple of options that I’ll be sprinkling some money on below.

Here are two first-basket props that I’m attacking tonight.

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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Chicago Bulls @ Indiana Pacers

Through four games last season, the Bulls and Pacers each won the tip twice. However, the Bulls added the first basket in three of four games in the regular season series.

DeMar DeRozan added one, while Nikola Vucevic added another. When Vucevic faced off against Myles Turner in center court, the Bulls scored first in both games.

Last year, DeRozan only took eight first shots but scored first 13 times. Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic added 13 first shots and scored 15 times. Vucevic was featured earlier in the offense last season despite the Bulls having Zach LaVine and DeRozan on the roster.

Therefore, let’s roll with Vucevic at +600 odds.

Bet: Nikola Vucevic (+600) 

Boston Celtics @ Washington Wizards

The Boston Celtics scored first in three of four games against the Wizards last season. In the one game where Kristaps Porzingis was the tip player for the Wizards, Washington scored first.

Now the Celtics have Porzingis on their roster after earning 58% of tips last season. Boston also hit 62% of first baskets and took the first shot in 54% of games.

Meanwhile, Daniel Gafford lost the jump ball to the Celtics the two times he faced off against them last year. In those two games, the Celtics added the first basket. Robert Williams actually scored first twice against the Wizards.

Last year, the Wizards watched Porzingis take seven first-shot attempts. He only made three, but he’s being used much more with the Celtics. He’s also averaging two more threes and getting to the line at a higher rate while scoring 23.5 points per game.

I’ll take a chance on Porzingis to earn the first basket in tonight’s game for the Celtics.

After all, Washington’s team added only 42% of first baskets last year. They also won the tip in just 35% of games. Beyond that, the Wizards added the first shot in only 40% of games. Boston has a high probability of being the first team to score a basket in this game.

Porzingis seems like the best fit, with Jayson Tatum right behind him.

Bet: Kristaps Porzingis (+390)

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

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