NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (4/11)
We’ve got five games on the NBA slate tonight!
The regular season concludes on Sunday, and there aren’t any games on Saturday. Therefore, this is the third-to-last day of the NBA regular season. Let’s enjoy it while we can. Here are a couple of first basket bets for tonight’s NBA slate.
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Chicago Bulls @ Detroit Pistons
Jalen Duren will take on Nikola Vucevic in the first tip tonight. Duren of the Pistons has added the tip in 47% of games this season but has helped the Pistons score first 51% of the time this year.
On the other hand, Vucevic has only won the tip in 33% of games. That’s led to the Bulls only scoring first 47% of the time.
In addition, Duren is already 2-0 in tips against Vucevic and has the advantage and edge to win the tip for a third time tonight.
If the Pistons get the ball first, look for Chicago’s shooting guard to score first. The Bulls have allowed the first basket to shooting guards 29% of the time, which is third-most in the NBA.
At this moment, Cade Cunningham is projected to play for the Pistons tonight. Therefore, Jaden Ivey would be the shooting guard for the Pistons tonight. He’s currently +650 to score first and has added the team’s first field goal attempt in 24% of games this year.
Although Ivey has only made seven first baskets in 58 games started, we’ll still back him here at +650 odds.
Bet: Jaden Ivey (+650)
New Orleans Pelicans @ Sacramento Kings
Although Domantas Sabonis has won the tip against Jonas Valanciunas twice this season for the Sacramento Kings, Sabonis has still only won the tip in 29% of games this season.
Meanwhile, Valanciunas of the Pelicans has added the tip in 48% of games and has also won the tip twice against Sabonis this season. It would make sense for Valanciunas to end the season with a better record against Sabonis. He’s ultimately had more success throughout the season.
Meanwhile, the Kings have allowed the first basket to shooting guards 31% of the time. It’s the worst rate to shooting guards in the NBA. The next highest position to score first against the Kings is Center, but that’s just 22% of the time.
New Orleans’ shooting guard will be CJ McCollum. He’s already earned 22% of the first basket for the Pelicans this season and has added the first field goal attempt in 17% of games. While he’s only made six first baskets in 63 games started, he’s got a terrific matchup tonight, especially sitting at +750.
Let’s give McCollum a shot to score first tonight.
Bet: CJ McCollum (+750)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: