NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (2/12)
After just two games on the slate yesterday, we’re back with a 10-game slate on the board tonight.
That means we’ll have ten different first-basket scorers tonight. Let’s try and hit at least one to earn some profit tonight!
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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Chicago Bulls have won the tip in 40% of games this season. However, while they’ve added the first field goal in 43% of games, the Bulls have hit their first field goal in 2.3 attempts per game.
That means it’s taken the Bulls more than two shots to score the first bucket of the game. Therefore, if the Bulls don’t earn an offensive rebound in the first two possessions, it could take three possessions for the Bulls to score first.
Meanwhile, the Hawks aren’t nearly as bad. The Hawks have won the tip in 49% of games and have added the first field goal in 53% of games. Atlanta has needed just 1.5 field goal attempts to score their first bucket.
Therefore, I’ve got the Hawks winning the tip and scoring first.
They’ll likely start Trae Young, Onyeka Okongwu, Dejounte Murray, Jalen Johnson, and Saddiq Bey.
Murray was absent from the lineup last time out. However, he has taken nearly 40% of the first field goal attempts for the Hawks. He also leads the team with 12 first field goals in 50 games started. At +650, we’ll give it a go.
Bet: Dejounte Murray (+650)
Washington Wizards vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Washington Wizards are really bad at winning the tip this season. The Wizards have only won the tip in 33% of games but have still managed to score the first field goal in 52% of games. Still, the Wizards have taken the game’s first field goal attempt in 44% of games this season.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have won the tip in 45% of games and have scored the first field goal in 60% of matchups. They’ve attempted the first field goal of the game in 53% and have needed only 1.5 field goal attempts to score their first points of the game.
The Mavericks have four players who have hit 21% or more of the team’s first field goals.
However, Dereck Lively II is still out, and Grant Williams was traded. So now we’re down to Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
Irving has eight first field goals in 31 games started. Meanwhile, Doncic has nailed ten first field goals in 45 games started. Both of the Mavericks’ stars have hit the first field goal in two of their last ten games. While Doncic takes the team’s first field goal attempt more, Irving has been more consistent, hitting the team’s first field goal more frequently than Doncic when on the floor.
Let’s go with Kyrie Irving to score first tonight.
Bet: Kyrie Irving (+410)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: