NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (3/28)
The NBA won’t be trying to compete with MLB’s Opening Day tonight. Therefore, there are only two games on the entire slate. That means we’ll only have two first-basket winners. With that said, there’s still value on the board that we can attack.
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Boston Celtics @ Atlanta Hawks
Kristaps Porzingis is already 1-0 against Clint Capela of the Hawks in opening tips. Porzingis has started 49 games this season and earned the tip in 78% of those games. Meanwhile, the Celtics have scored first 64% of the time.
On the other hand, Capela has only won the tip in 45% of games this season, and the Hawks have only scored the first basket in 53% of games this season. The Celtics certainly have the advantage of winning the tip and scoring first.
In 72 games, the Hawks have allowed the first basket to be scored by centers 35% of the time. The next best is power forwards, who have scored 21% of the first baskets against the Hawks this year.
Porzingis stands out the most. He returned to the Celtics four games ago after dealing with injuries and has scored the first basket in two of those four games. This season, when on the floor, he’s attempted the team’s first basket in 30% of games and has taken the team’s first field-goal attempt in 26% of games.
Ride with Porzingis.
Bet: Kristaps Porzingis (+460)
Milwaukee Bucks @ New Orleans Pelicans
Brook Lopez is also 1-0 against his opposition tonight. He’ll take on Jonas Valanciunas of the Pelicans in the opening tip. Valanciunas has won 49% of tips this season. He already lost a tip-off against Lopez, and the Pelicans have only scored first in 49% of games this season.
On the other hand, Lopez has won the tip in 54% of games, and the Bucks have scored first in 57% of games this year. Milwaukee’s got the advantage.
Just like Atlanta, the Pelicans have allowed a high number of first baskets to centers at 32%. New Orleans has also struggled against power forwards early, allowing 27% of first baskets to come from that position.
While Lopez fits the script a little better, he’s only added four first baskets in 69 games. Giannis Antetokounmpo, on the other hand, has scored 14 first baskets and has attempted the team’s first basket in 37% of games. That fits the script much better.
Let’s go with Giannis to score first tonight.
Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+430)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: