NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (2/5)
There are six games on the NBA slate tonight. That gives us enough options to find our favorite two first-basket bets on the board.
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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Sacramento Kings vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Sacramento Kings have only won the tip in 29% of games this season. Still, the Kings have added the first field goal in 50% of games and have added the game’s first field goal attempt in 46% of matchups.
Those aren’t bad numbers, especially knowing how bad the Kings are at winning the tip. However, the Cavaliers have won the tip in 72% of games and have scored the first field goal in 57% of matchups.
Cleveland has added the game’s first field goal attempt in two of every three games they’ve played in this season.
Therefore, the Cavaliers have a much higher probability of taking the first shot in this game.
Cleveland will start Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Max Strus.
Although Jarrett Allen has a higher probability, Donovan Mitchell has taken the team’s first field goal in 42% of games. He’s added 16 first-field goals this season and has taken the team’s first field goal attempt in 34% of games.
At +550, grab Donovan Mitchell to score first.
Bet: Donovan Mitchell (+550)
Toronto Raptors vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have won the tip 49% of the time. However, the Pelicans have only scored the first field goal in 47% of games while attempting the first field goal in 45% of games. It’s taken the Pelicans 1.6 shots per game to score their first bucket.
Meanwhile, the Raptors have only won the tip in 50% of games. It’s slightly better than the Pelicans. However, the Raptors have scored the first field goal in 69% of games this season.
It’s taken the Raptors just 1.3 shots per game to score their first field goal. While the Raptors aren’t even a playoff team, they’re always prepared with a quality set to begin games.
The Raptors will likely start Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, R.J. Barrett, Gary Trent Jr., and Jakob Poeltl.
In that group, Scottie Barnes has 14 first-field goals. Quickley has just two with the Raptors, Barrett has none, Poeltl has added six and Trent Jr. has three in only 13 games started.
Barnes has the highest probability for Toronto. At +750, let’s take a shot.
Bet: Scottie Barnes (+750)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: