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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (2/9)

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It’s the NBA Trade Deadline!

We’ve already watched Kyrie Irving get traded to the Mavericks. Kevin Durant was sent to the Suns, and Russell Westbrook is now off to Utah. The West just got a lot more competitive.

There are more trades to come. But we’ve still got four games on the NBA slate tonight. Here are a few first-basket plays for tonight’s games.

And here are our other top picks for Thursday:

Get ready for the big game with our Super Bowl LVII Betting Guide >>

First Basket Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Phoenix Suns vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Suns won’t have Kevin Durant tonight. But that won’t stop them from earning the tip-off.

The Hawks and Suns played one game earlier this season. The Suns won the tip with DeAndre Ayton over Clint Capela. However, Dejounte Murray of the Hawks still scored the first basket.

The Hawks rarely win the tip. Atlanta has earned 38% of tips this season compared to Phoenix, earning 63% of tips. The Suns will get the first chance at a bucket, giving them a higher probability of hitting the first shot. The lineup will be a bit different tonight. Mikal Bridges won’t be in the starting lineup. He’s now a Net. Devin Booker will get the night off too.

Therefore, DeAndre Ayton is the best bet for the Suns. He’s added eight first shots and has scored seven of them.

Bet: DeAndre Ayton (+440) 

Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets have won the tip 41% of the time compared to the Bulls, who have won just 30% of the time. Brooklyn has also scored the first basket in nearly 60% of games, while the Bulls have added the first basket in 46% of games.

The Nets no longer have Kyrie Irving or T.J. Warren. But Spencer Dinwiddie is expected to start for the Nets after returning to Brooklyn in the Kyrie Irving trade. There’s also Cameron Thomas, who has been on a scoring tear recently. Dinwiddie will want to get comfortable early, but I still like Thomas to get up the first shot if the Nets get possession.

At +600, back Thomas. He’s only scored over 120 points in the last three games.

Bet: Cameron Thomas (+600) 

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers won’t have any bigs starting tonight’s game. Anthony Davis will likely duel it out for the tip for the Lakers. Davis already lost to the Bucks on a tip on Dec. 2. The Bucks won the tip and scored first.

Both teams are earning tips at least 65% this season. The Bucks are still getting more first shots and first baskets.

You can expect Giannis Antetokounmpo to dictate this game early. He’s got five first shots and seven first baskets and will be featured in this game plenty against LeBron James.

Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+320)

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