NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (2/8)
We’ve got a nine-game slate in the NBA tonight!
More importantly, the NBA Trade Deadline is at 3:00 pm ET.
Therefore, some of these games could have different starters and less depth on the bench. Remember before making wagers in any market, including the first-basket market.
Make sure to check out our NBA first basket cheat sheet for even more betting advice.
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
San Antonio Spurs vs. Orlando Magic
The San Antonio Spurs have won the tip in 62% of games this season. They’ve also hit the first field goal in 54% of matchups and have added the game’s first field goal attempt in 48%.
They’re facing an Orlando Magic squad that has only won the tip in 35% of games. Orlando has also scored just 41% of the first field goal and has added the game’s first field goal attempt in 39% of games.
The Magic rarely even attempt the first shot in most games.
Therefore, I like the Spurs to win the tip, take the first shot, and score the first shot. They’ll likely start Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and Tre Jones.
Of these five, Champagnie has the highest percentage of field goals attempted and field goals made in games started this season.
He’s got seven first field goals and has attempted the first field goal in 25% of games started this season. However, Victor Wembanyama has added four first field goals in his last ten games. He was quiet when the season began but has since stepped up his game.
Let’s take Wembanyama at +500. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Champagne makes the first bucket, either. Still, Wembanyama has been much more consistent over the last few weeks.
Bet: Victor Wembanyama (+500)
Detroit Pistons vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Pistons and Bojan Bogdanovic didn’t get it done for us yesterday. But the percentages still give the Pistons an edge in tonight’s game against the Blazers.
The Pistons have won the tip more than 50% of the time and have hit the first field goal in nearly 60% of matchups. They’ve also attempted the first field goal more than 50% of the time.
On the other hand, the Trail Blazers have only scored the first basket in 41% of games and have added the tip in only 43% of matchups. Portland has also taken the game’s first field goal attempt in just 45% of games, which is about 5% worse than Detroit.
At this moment, the Pistons will likely start Bogdanovic, Jaden Ivey, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Ausar Thompson. Cunningham didn’t play yesterday and is currently questionable for today.
However, I’ll give Bogdanovic another shot tonight. He’s added eight first field goals in just 26 games. Compare that to Cunningham’s nine in 40 games started and Duren’s seven first baskets in 32 games. Bogdanovic has been the most consistent in fewer games started.
Bet: Bojan Bogdanovic (+700)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: