NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (3/18)
It’s time for some quick long shots to begin the week!
I’ve added a couple of first-basket bets to consider for tonight’s eight-game slate. There’s certainly some value on the slate!
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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers
Myles Turner might’ve beaten Jarrett Allen in an earlier game this year in a tip. However, I like Allen to get his revenge tonight for the Cavaliers.
Allen has won the tip in 74% of his 62 games started, which has allowed the Cavaliers to score first in 55% of games this season.
On the other hand, Turner has participated in 63 tip-offs and has only won 48% of them. With that, the Pacers have scored first in only 44% of games this season.
The Cavaliers still have the advantage, even if Allen lost an earlier tip to Turner and the Pacers.
Indiana has allowed 26% of first baskets to point guards and 29% of first baskets to centers this season. I’ll look to target those two positions on the Cleveland roster.
It’s unlikely Donovan Mitchell will play for the Cavaliers tonight. Instead, the lineup should include Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Isaac Okoro, and Allen.
Over the last ten games, Allen has two first field goals and has taken the team’s first field goal attempt in 30% of games. Allen has ten first baskets in 62 games this season, while Garland only has one first basket in 43 games started.
Therefore, I’ll back Allen to score first at +410.
Bet: Jarrett Allen (+410)
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings
This season, Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies has earned the tip in both games against Domantas Sabonis.
Jackson Jr. has also won the tip in 72% of his 57 starts this year. On the other hand, Sabonis has won the tip in only 30% of the 66 games played this year.
Jackson Jr. and the Grizzlies have the advantage. Memphis will get the ball first and has scored the first basket in 56% of games this year. The Kings have only scored the first basket in 50% of games this season.
The Kings have allowed the first basket to shooting guards 27% of the time. They’ve also given up the first basket 24% of the time to centers and 21% of the time to small forwards. Any of those positions would be solid plays against the Kings.
Memphis will likely start Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, GG Jackson, Vince Williams Jr., and Santi Aldama.
While Bane is an interesting candidate here, he’s only got two first baskets in 38 starts this season. He’s taken the team’s first field goal attempt 29% of the time when he’s out there, but he doesn’t always shoot consistently.
Jackson Jr. has. He’s made 16 first baskets in 58 games started and has taken the team’s first basket in 43% of games. Therefore, we’ll roll with Jackson Jr. at +450.
Bet: Jaren Jackson Jr. (+450)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: