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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (3/16)

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The NBA isn’t trying to compete with college basketball today. There are only five games on the slate, with no overly intriguing games. There’s only one game between two teams with a winning record.

I’ll try to get in and out with tonight’s NBA bets. Therefore, I’m backing a few first-basket bets with tonight’s slate.

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Thursday’s Best First Basket Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Sacramento Kings vs. Brooklyn Nets

The Sacramento Kings have only won the tip in 34% of games this season. They’ve been better at scoring first baskets, averaging 41% first baskets, but overall, they have struggled to get off to a hot start. The Kings are one of the best offenses in the league but usually find themselves trailing to start games. You can expect that tonight too.

The Nets have scored the first basket in 55% of games this season. With Mikal Bridges starting to really develop in Brooklyn, he’s the clear threat to score first for the Nets.

Bet: Mikal Bridges (+490) 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors

The Oklahoma City Thunder have only won the tip in 18 of 69 games this season. That’s 26% of the time. There’s a very high probability that the Raptors will win the tip.

Toronto has attempted the first shot in 51% of games this year and has scored the first basket 57%  of the time while winning the tip in 45% of games.

Early in games, Pascal Siakam has been the featured player for the Raptors. He’s added 10 first-shot attempts and 12 first-baskets with the Raptors this year. I’ll take him to score first tonight.

Bet: Pascal Siakam (+480)

Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks

The Pacers are almost as bad as the Thunder at winning the tip. Indiana has won the tip in 33% of games this season and scored the first basket in under 40% of games.

Meanwhile, the Bucks have scored the first basket in 59% of games and won the tip in 65%. The Bucks win the tip in two of every three games, while the Pacers win the tip in just one of every three games. Milwaukee has the clear advantage of scoring first in this matchup. The Bucks already won the tip in both games against the Pacers earlier this year.

The Bucks have also done well sharing the ball for first-basket attempts. But Giannis Antetokounmpo still leads the team in first-baskets made. I’ll rely on him tonight.

Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+250)

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