NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (2/22)
The NBA will begin its second half with tonight’s 12-game slate tonight!
That means there will be 12 different players on the board who score the first basket. After looking through all of the games, I’ve found my favorite two first-basket props.
Make sure to check out our NBA first basket cheat sheet for even more betting advice.
Plus, be sure to join our BettingPros Discord to discuss the best first-basket bets for each and every slate of NBA games with our community of sports bettors!
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Indiana Pacers vs. Detroit Pistons
Over the last 20 games, the Indiana Pacers have only won the tip in 35% of games. They’ve also scored the first field goal in only 30% of their last 20 games.
The Pacers don’t even get many field goals up to begin games. They’ve taken the first field goal attempt in only 35% of games this season.
Meanwhile, the Pistons have had a little bit more success. The Pistons have won the tip in 40% of their last 20 games and have scored the first field goal in 45% of matchups. Unlike the Pacers, the Pistons have also added the game’s first field goal attempt in 45% of games.
While the Pistons are an elite first-basket team, they’ve recently produced more than the Pacers.
In the last 20 games, the Pacers have given up 40% of first baskets to centers and 25% of first baskets to point guards. You can’t go wrong with Jalen Duren at +650. Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham isn’t a bad option, but it’s unclear if he’ll even play yet.
If Cunningham is out, Jaden Ivey at +700 isn’t a bad look, either. But we’ll stick with Duren here!
Bet: Jalen Duren (+650)
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Over the last 20 games, the Los Angeles Clippers have only won the tip in 15% of games. They’ve also attempted the game’s first field goal in 15% of matchups and have scored the first field goal in 45% of games.
It’s taken the Clippers three field goal attempts per game over the last 20 to score their first field goal.
Meanwhile, in that same time frame, the Oklahoma City Thunder have added the tip in 60% of their last 20 games and have scored the first field goal in 60% of matchups. The Thunder have only needed about two field goal attempts to score their first basket.
The Clippers have given up 40% of first baskets to centers in the last 20 games.
Oklahoma City figures to start Chet Holmgren, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and Lu Dort.
Holmgren has already scored 20% of the team’s first basket in the last 20 games. Let’s roll with him here at +500.
Bet: Chet Holmgren (+500)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: