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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (11/20)

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With eight games on the NBA slate tonight, we’ll have eight first-scorers cash in. All we have to do is hit one of two to profit in the first-basket market.

Here are my two favorite bets for the night.

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    Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

    (Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

    New York Knicks @ Minnesota Timberwolves

    The Knicks are tied with the Miami Heat with 77% of tip wins this season. New York hasn’t just won 77% of tips, but the Knicks are also second in the NBA in first field goals made, behind the Toronto Raptors.

    They’ll take on a Minnesota squad that has only won the tip in 36% of games this year. The Timberwolves have made the first field goal in 36% of games and have only attempted the first shot in a game 27% of the time.

    The Knicks have the edge early against Minnesota.

    Oddsmakers believe RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes will play in tonight’s game. Therefore, the Knicks should have their typical Opening Day lineup.

    Either way, Jalen Brunson has been the go-to scorer early for New York. Brunson has attempted the team’s first field goal in 54% of games this season. He’s also made the team’s first field goal in 31% of games to lead the team.

    We’ll ride Brunson for our first basket play in this game.

    Bet: Jalen Brunson (+650)

    Los Angeles Clippers @ San Antonio Spurs

    The Los Angeles Clippers have earned the tip in just 9% of games this season. They’ve scored the first basket in 36% of games and have attempted the first field goal in 36% of games. That rate is hard to sustain without winning the tip very often.

    Tonight, they’ll take on Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. San Antonio has won the tip in 54% of games but has only attempted the first field goal in 38% of games while scoring the first field goal in 46% of matchups.

    With that, the Spurs should win the tip and get the first chance to score.

    With Devin Vassell likely out of the game for the Spurs tonight, San Antonio will start Julian Champagnie. He’s nailed the first basket in two of three starts for the Spurs this season.

    Meanwhile, Zach Collins has earned five first baskets for the Spurs in 13 games, which is also impressive. However, he’s only taken the team’s first field goal attempt in 23% of games and has scored the team’s first field goal in 38% of games.

    I’ll take the long-shot bet with Champagnie.

    Bet: Julian Champagnie (+1000)

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

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