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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (12/16)

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With the IST behind us and college football into their bowl season, many eyes will be shifting towards the NBA on Saturday nights. We get a jam-packed schedule today with a lot of really exciting games. There is no better way to get the excitement going than playing a few First Basket plays and here are my favorites for Saturday.

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Saturday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte Hornets

Even though the 76ers will be playing the second night of a back-to-back, they should have a massive advantage over this Hornet team. When it comes to First Basket, Philadelphia is actually closer to the league average, but the Hornets are one of the worst teams in the league. They’ve managed to score first in only about a quarter of the games they’ve played this season.

Philadelphia loves going to their MVP down low to start the game. With this being a back-to-back Embiid’s status could be up in the air until game time, but if he’s in the lineup, he’s the play for First Basket.

Charlotte gives up well over half of their opponents’ first scores to bigs. Embiid is more than happy to take what the defense is going to give him. He leads the 76ers in first scores this year, already compiling six of them, including the opening basket last night against Detroit. He’s a risk to not play given the schedule, but if Embiid is in the lineup he is a must-play on Saturday.

Pick: Joel Embiid (+380)

Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings

If the Hornets are just one of the worst First Basket teams, the Jazz are THE worst. Sacramento on the other hand, has been really good dating back to last year. Typically this is a prop that De’Aaron Fox or Domantas Sabonis dominates, but I’m going to go with someone who has slightly longer odds.

This is a great opportunity for Harrison Barnes. Utah likes to give up first opponent field goals to forwards. It’s a weakness in the Jazz defense that a scorer like Barnes can exploit. He isn’t typically someone who cashes this prop often, but he scores his share of first team baskets for Sacramento. This is a really solid value longshot play on the board for Saturday night.

Pick: Harrison Barnes (+1500)

New York Knicks at Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers look like they may be finally turning a corner this season. They’ve certainly been playing better as of late, but they have a massive mismatch in the first score props on Saturday.

The Knicks have been really solid this season scoring first in over 60% of the games they’ve played. Brunson, Barrett, and Randle have all had a lot of success over the last two years with the First Basket prop and there’s a great opportunity against this Clipper team. One of these guys in particular has a really good matchup.

I’m targeting Barrett for this game. He leads the Knicks in first scores this season and should be able to replicate that success here. He’s one of my favorite plays for First Basket to round out this Saturday’s slate.

Pick: RJ Barrett (+700)

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

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