NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (2/15)
Most teams have finished the first half of the regular season. However, we still have three games on the NBA slate tonight before the All-Star Weekend begins.
I’ve found some value in the First-Basket market that I’m ready to attack.
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have only won the tip in 75% of their last 20 games. However, the Grizzlies have also allowed teams to score 60% of the first basket against them in those 20 games.
It’s not the point guards or shooting guards that are beating the Grizzlies. 40% of the first baskets have come from power forwards, and the other 40% are coming from centers.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have only allowed 45% of first baskets while winning the tip in 60% of games in the last 20. The Bucks scored the first field goal in 55% of the previous 20 games and added the first field goal attempt in 50% of matchups.
While the Grizzlies could beat the Bucks for the tip, Memphis has only hit 40% of the first field goal while taking 70% of the game’s first field goal attempt. Memphis is inefficient.
The Bucks will send out Giannis Antetokounmpo, along with Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, Jae Crowder, and Malik Beasley. We want to target the power forward and center of the Bucks against Milwaukee. Therefore, we’ll roll with Brook Lopez at +900, who has a ton of value.
Bet: Brook Lopez (+900)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Minnesota Timberwolves have lost the tip in 55% of games over their last 20.
However, the Portland Trail Blazers have lost 75% of the tip in the last 20 games. The Blazers have only won the tip in 30% of those matchups and have allowed the first basket to centers 55% of the time in those games.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has hit the first field goal in 40% of games and has attempted the first field goal in 50% of the last 20 games.
The Timberwolves haven’t been super consistent or efficient, but they’ve done better than Portland. The Blazers have only hit the first field goal in 25% of games and have attempted the first field goal in only 35% of games over the last 20.
Again, with the Blazers allowing centers to score 55% of the first basket over the last 20 games, we’ll roll with Rudy Gobert at +800.
The Timberwolves will likely start with Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, and Mike Conley. Gobert at +800 sticks out the most.
Bet: Rudy Gobert (+800)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: