NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (1/4)
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There are only two games on the entire slate tonight, including the Bucks-Spurs and Nuggets-Warriors. Therefore, I’ve added first basket plays for both matchups below.
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Milwaukee Bucks vs. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are bad in a lot of areas. Scoring first isn’t one of them.
The Spurs have added a 58% tip-win rate and have scored the first basket in 65% of games this season. They’ve also attempted the first field goal in 48% of matchups and have only needed 1.6 field goals attempted to score the first field goal.
On the other hand, the Milwaukee Bucks have won the tip 58% of the time, too. But they’ve scored the first field goal in 45% of games despite adding the first field goal attempt in 55% of matchups.
It’s taken the Bucks nearly two shots to score their first field goal this season.
The Spurs will likely have a lineup of Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Tre Jones, Julian Champagnie, and Jeremy Sochan.
Champagnie has started only nine games this season. But in those nine games, he’s got the first field goal in six games. Champagnie has added the team’s first field goal attempt in 56% of games and has scored the team’s first field goal in 67% of games started.
At +950, I’ll gladly take Champagnie here.
Bet: Julian Champagnie (+950)
Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have only won the tip in 44% of matchups. They’ve also added the first field goal attempt in only 41% of games despite making the first field goal in 53%.
It’s taken the Warriors 1.7 shots per game to score their first field goal this season.
Conversely, the Nuggets have won the tip in 55% of games. Denver scored the first field goal in 58% of matchups and attempted the game’s first field goal in 52% of matchups.
The Nuggets are more likely to win the tip and should ultimately get the first look in this game.
Denver’s starting five will likely include Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Of those five, Nikola Jokic has added the team’s first field goal attempt in 44% of games and has added the team’s first field goal in 38% of games.
Jokic has started in 32 games this season and has 12 first baskets. Nobody in that starting lineup has more than five other than Jokic.
Bet: Nikola Jokic (+400)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
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