NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (11/2)
It’s not the biggest slate in the NBA tonight. However, there are four matchups, giving us four opportunities to hit a first basket tonight.
I’ve added two first-baskets to my betting portfolio tonight. Let’s hit one and earn some profit with this small NBA slate.
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t won a tip in all three games this season. They’ve scored the first field goal once but haven’t taken the game’s first field goal attempt yet this year.
Meanwhile, the Raptors have secured the tip in three of their first five games and scored the first basket in all five games to begin the year. Dennis Schroder and Scottie Barnes have each scored the first basket once. However, Pascal Siakam has already drained three first baskets this season.
In Toronto’s game against the Bucks, Jakob Poeltl won the possession to begin the game. Siakam turned the ball over on that first possession. After a stop on the defensive end, Siakam earned a rebound and took a shot 12 seconds later to add to his first-basket stats.
Last year, Siakam only had four first shots, with 11 made first baskets. The Raptors rarely won the tip last year but with Poeltl at center, that has changed. Siakam has been super consistent so let’s keep rolling with him.
Bet: Pascal Siakam (+500)
San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have only won the tip in one of four games this season. Meanwhile, the Spurs have earned the tip in all four games to begin the year. That’s because the freak of nature, Victor Wembanyama, is taking the tip for the Spurs this year. Of course, San Antonio will win the tip more times than not.
However, against the Suns on Tuesday, Eric Gordon still scored the first basket after the Spurs didn’t convert on their end to begin the game. That was the first game where the Spurs didn’t score first.
There’s also been no consistency with the Spurs. Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson, and Victor Wembanyama have all attempted their first field goal in four games this season. Johnson, Wembanyama, and Zach Collins have been the three who have scored first. I just named the entire Spurs lineup of guys contributing to the first basket in four games.
Knowing the Spurs will likely get the ball first, I’ll take my chances with the guy who shoots the most on the team. That’s Keldon Johnson, who took 20 shots against the Suns in 33 minutes on Tuesday.
Bet: Keldon Johnson (+800)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
- NFL Thursday Night Football Same Game Parlay
- Top 4 Picks for NFL Thursday Night Football
- NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks, & Predictions
- NBA Player Prop Bet Odds, Pick & Predictions
- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions
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