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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (1/26)

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Yesterday, we finished going 0-3 with our first basket bets. Fortunately, we hit on each team that scored first but couldn’t get the player correct.

Hopefully, that changes tonight! Here are three more options for the first-basket scorer.

Check out our other top picks for Thursday:

Season record: 0-3 (-3 Units)

All wagers are one unit

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Today’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Player Prop Bets

We’re tracking out first-basket bets below, starting this week.

Detroit Pistons vs. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets have only won the tip 40% of the time. However, Brooklyn has also scored the first basket 62% of the time. The defense early in games for the Nets has been premier.

Meanwhile, the Pistons have only won 37% of the tip and have scored the first basket just 35% of the time.

Nic Claxton has only attempted the first basket twice this season but has seven made first baskets. Royce O’Neale has eight first-basket attempts but only connected on two. The Nets have had a lot of inconsistency, especially with Kevin Durant still out. But the best option will still be Kyrie Irving, who has nailed six first baskets while attempting four first shots.

Bet: Kyrie Irving (+460)

Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets

It’s hard to trust the Bulls to score the first basket this season. Chicago has only won the tip 26% of the time but has still scored 47% of first baskets. You’ve got to trust that the defense will get a stop first most of the time.

Against the Hornets, the Bulls already did that once. On Nov. 2, the Hornets won the tip, but Patrick Williams added the first basket for the Bulls. It takes a couple of shots from other players before Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan gets going.

Patrick Williams has nine first-shot attempts to lead the team. He’s also nailed six first baskets and already has one against the Hornets this season. I’ll back Williams here.

Bet: Patrick Williams (+700)

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Houston Rockets

The Cavaliers are winning the opening tip nearly 60% of the time. Compare that to the Rockets, who have won the tip just 35% of the time. There’s a high probability that the Cavaliers will end up with the ball first in this game.

Donovan Mitchell will be missing a couple of games due to an injury. Therefore, the two best options include Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Combined, those two have taken 16 first-shot attempts and have drained 11 first baskets.

Garland has had more attempts and makes, so we’ll stick with him in this spot.

Bet: Darius Garland (+550) 

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