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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (3/11)

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There’s so much action in the NBA today! Some of you will want to get in and out with your NBA picks tonight.

I’ve added some first-basket plays that you should consider for today’s slate. If we hit one bet, we’ll finish the night profitable.

Let’s get right to it!

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Saturday:

View 5-star bets and historical prop performance by players with our Prop Bet Analyzer >>

Saturday’s Best First Basket Player Prop Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Celtics and Hawks played in one game earlier this year. The Celtics won the tip, but the Hawks scored first. The Celtics were unlucky that time. But they’ve got a much higher probability of scoring first tonight.

Boston has won the tip in 51% of games and has attempted the first shot in 58% of games. Meanwhile, the Hawks have only won the tip 40% of the time and have attempted the first shot in 45% of games.

The Celtics aren’t always the hottest team to start games. But I’d expect the Celtics to play slightly looser early at home.

Jayson Tatum has nine first shots and nine first baskets for the Celtics this season. He also leads the team’s first baskets, with Jaylen Brown attempting more but not making more.

Back Tatum to score first in this one.

Bet: Jayson Tatum (+500) 

Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies

The Dallas Mavericks scored the first basket against Memphis on October 22. Things have changed since then. The Grizzlies are depleted, and the Mavericks have Kyrie Irving on the roster.

But in that game, Memphis still won the tip but didn’t score first. Still, the Grizzlies have a much better opportunity of scoring first in tonight’s game.

Dallas has won the tip in 33% of games and scored the first basket in just 37%. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies have added the first basket in 65% of games and won the tip in 65%. This is a huge difference.

The Grizzlies don’t have Ja Morant available but still have Jaren Jackson Jr. running the show. He’s added nine attempts and seven first baskets for the Grizzlies this season. He usually goes off when Morant isn’t on the floor. I like him to score first tonight.

Bet: Jaren Jackson Jr. (+310)

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans and Thunder will play their first game of the season against one another. The Thunder have only won the tip in 27% of games this season, while the Pelicans have earned the tip in nearly 50%.

New Orleans has the edge to score the first basket tonight.

The Pelicans typically go to their big man for the early two points. Jonas Valanciunas has added 12 first-basket attempts and 13 first-baskets made for the Pelicans this year. He’ll add another first attempt and first basket made in tonight’s game.

Bet: Jonas Valanciunas (+440)

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