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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (12/7)

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We’ve got two semifinal matchups in the NBA In-Season Tournament tonight!

The Pacers will take on the Bucks at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN, while the Pelicans and Lakers will play their game at 9:00 p.m. ET on TNT. Get those bets in early. Tonight’s action will be fun!

Here are some First-Basket wagers to consider for these two In-Season Tournament matchups.

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    Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

    (Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

    Indiana Pacers @ Milwaukee Bucks

    The Indiana Pacers have won the tip in 67% of games this season. That’s tied for the third-best percentage in the NBA. However, Indiana isn’t always consistent. The Pacers have only added the first field goal in 50% of games. The Celtics, for example, have earned 68% of the tips and have scored the first basket in 79% of games.

    The Pacers could be better.

    However, they’re facing a Bucks team that has only won the tip in 55% of games. Milwaukee has earned only 45% of first baskets this season and has attempted the game’s first field goal in only 45% of games.

    The Pacers are likelier to earn the tip and take the first shot.

    Myles Turner is the player who is the most inconsistent on the Pacers. He’s dragged the Pacers down in the First Basket market. The center has taken the team’s first field goal attempt in 50% of games but has only hit the team’s first field goal in 22% of games.

    The Pacers need Turner to win the tip but don’t need him shooting first. Obi Toppin has started in 17 games. In those 17 games, he’s scored the first basket six times. Toppin has attempted the first field goal in only 18% of games, but he’s got 35% of the team’s first field goal this season. He’s the most consistent player on the team to start games.

    At +1000, I’ll test our luck.

    Bet: Obi Toppin (+1000)

    New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Lakers

    The New Orleans Pelicans have won the tip in 55% of games this season. However, they’ve only scored the first field goal in 41% of games while attempting the game’s first field goal attempt in 41% of games.

    That’s not ideal.

    Meanwhile, the Lakers have won the tip at a slightly lower rate at 52%. Still, Los Angeles has added the first field goal in 57% of games and has attempted the first field goal in 52% of matchups. That sounds a little bit better.

    D’Angelo Russell has started the most games for the Lakers this season. In 21 games, he’s added the team’s first field goal in 24% of games. He’s nailed five first field goals in 21 games and has a team-high three in the last 10 games.

    The Lakers typically share the ball early. However, Russell stands out the most at +1000 odds.

    Bet: D’Angelo Russell (+1000)

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

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