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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (12/14)

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We’ve got about half of the league playing in the NBA tonight.

We’ll also get seven first-basket scorers with seven games on the slate.

Can we hit one or two of those long-shot first-basket scorers for some profit tonight?

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    Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

    (Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

    Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics

    The Boston Celtics are second in the NBA in first field goals. Boston has drained 76% of first field goals while earning 67% of tip wins this season.

    The Celtics have also earned the game’s first field goal in 71% of matchups, which currently leads the league.

    Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have won the tip in 63% of games. They’ve just only scored the first field goal in 46% of games. Cleveland has been a bit more inconsistent when trying to score first.

    Therefore, the Celtics have the advantage, especially with Kristaps Porzingis back in the lineup and taking the tip.

    However, it’s Jrue Holiday taking the team’s first field goal attempt the most this season. Jayson Tatum has only taken the team’s first shot attempt in 10% of games, while Porzingis and Jaylen Brown have added the first shot attempt in 25% of games.

    Meanwhile, Holiday has attempted the team’s first field goal attempt in 32% of games. He’s also scored the team’s first field goal in 32% of matchups. He has six first baskets this season, just one below Brown for the team lead. Still, H0liday has played one fewer game than Brown this season. He’ll hopefully tie him up tonight for the team lead.

    Bet: Jrue Holiday (+800)

    Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings

    The Sacramento Kings have been awful at winning the tip this season. The Kings have added just 32% of tip wins this season. Despite earning the first field goal in 50% of games, the Kings are super inconsistent with getting the ball first.

    On the other hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder have won the tip in 64% of games. They’ve attempted the first field goal in 55% of games and have hit taken the game’s first field goal attempt in 55% of games.

    It’s more likely that the Thunder get the ball first and attempt the first shot. With that, the Thunder would have a higher probability of scoring first.

    Oklahoma City’s best player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is an MVP candidate. But he’s taking the team’s first shot attempt in zero games despite starting in 21 of them.

    It’s actually Chet Holmgren who has stepped up the most. Holmgren has added the team’s first field goal attempt in 36% of games and has nailed the team’s first field goal in 32% of games. Holmgren has seven first field goals this season and two in the last ten games.

    Bet: Chet Holmgren (+460)

    Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:

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