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Top NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (1/7)

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It is the first Saturday of 2023. Although there are only five games, they aren't lacking in excitement. Let's take a look at Saturday's short slate of NBA games to find some First-Basket winners.

(All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)

Top NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: January 7, 2023

Boston Celtics at San Antonio Spurs

This is one of the most lopsided matchups of the year between perhaps the best and worst teams in the league. It is, however, a very intriguing matchup as far as First-Basket props are concerned. In this matchup, I'm looking to take a player from each team.

For Boston, I'm going to look at Jayson Tatum. He's been an MVP candidate for the Celtics and leads the team in scoring. He also leads the team in first field goals scored, doing so in 10 of 37 starts. Recently, he's cooled off on the first-basket scoring, but, with his volume, he is always a threat to heat back up. In addition, San Antonio gives up 44 percent of their first-basket makes to wing players.

When it comes to the Spurs, I'm targeting Jeremy Sochan. This one is a bit of a longshot, but it's a matchup I like. The Spurs' lineup has been in flux recently due to injuries and they'll be on the second night of a back to back.

Sochan has only cashed this prop once in 29 starts on the season, but this is a good opportunity from a matchup standpoint. Boston allows 50 percent of their first baskets to forwards. As a steady presence in the lineup, it's worth sprinkling a little on Sochan for a huge win.

Pick: Jayson Tatum (+370) & Jeremy Sochan (+1000)

Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls

This matchup with the Jazz is a prime spot for Nikola Vucevic to cash a first-basket prop. The Jazz have been the worst team in the entire league at scoring first baskets, doing so at only a 24.4-percent clip on the season. This immediately makes any Bulls’ player a solid target.

I really love Vucevic because, in addition to not scoring many first field goals, the Jazz give up first field goals to centers at an insane 40-percent clip.

The numbers suggest Vucevic is the best player here as far as Utah's defense and Chicago's offense. Vucevic leads all Bulls in first field goals scored on the season with five. One reason is because he puts up the most early-game attempts on the team, averaging 0.84 shots in the team's first three attempts.

With a statistically great matchup and his own trend of scoring first baskets, Vucevic is the best choice to cash on Saturday night.

Pick: Nikola Vucevic (+750) 

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