NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (1/25)
There will be seven different first baskets made during tonight’s NBA slate. After looking through all seven matchups, I’ve found my favorite two spots for this market.
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Utah Jazz vs. Washington Wizards
The Utah Jazz have really struggled to score first this season. The Jazz have only won the tip in 33% of games and have added the first field goal in only 31% of games this year. Utah has also attempted the game’s first field goal in 36% of games and has needed nearly two shots per game to score its first bucket.
The Wizards aren’t entirely better. But they are scoring the first basket at a much higher pace. Washington has added the tip in 36% of games but has scored the first field goal in half of its matchups. The Wizards have also taken the game’s first field goal attempt in 48% of games.
The Wizards have a higher probability of winning the tip and scoring first.
They’ll have a starting lineup of Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford, Jordan Poole, Deni Avdija, and Tyus Jones. While Kyle Kuzma has the highest field goal attempts to start games, Deni Avdija has the most first-field goals with 10. He’s scored the team’s first field goal in 24% of games this season.
At +1000, why not take a chance on Avdija?
Bet: Deni Avdija (+1000)
Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Chicago is below average at scoring first. The Bulls have added the tip in 42% of games and have scored the first field goal in just 44% of games this season. It’s taken the Bulls 2.4 field goal attempts to score their first shot. On top of that, the Bulls have attempted the game’s first field goal in only 47% of games this season.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have much better numbers. Los Angeles has won the tip more than 50% of the time and has added the game’s first field goal in 48% of games. Los Angeles has also attempted the game’s first field goal in 55% of games and has only needed 1.6 shots to make the first field goal.
The Lakers should win the tip, take the first shot, and ultimately score first. They’ll likely start the game with Anthony Davis, LeBron James, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura.
Davis and Russell have each scored the team’s first field goal in 24% of games. However, Davis has added the team’s first field goal attempt in 29% of games to lead the starters. Let’s take Davis to score first tonight.
Bet: Anthony Davis (+430)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
- Erickson's NFL Conference Championship Round Player Prop Bet Picks & Predictions
- NFL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Longshot Bets (Conference Championships)
- NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions
- College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions
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