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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (3/20)

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We’ve got eight opportunities to nail a first basket bet with eight games on the slate. After looking through the slate, I found the two long shots I’ll be backing tonight.

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    Wednesday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

    (Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

    Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics

    Kristaps Porzingis has won the tip in 78% of attempts this season. He’s only played in 46 games this year and was sidelined for a long period of time through March, but he’s back now. Porzingis is one of the more consistent players in terms of winning tips.

    On the other hand, he’ll go up against Brook Lopez. Lopez is already 0-2 against Porzingis this season with the tip. He’s also only won the tip in 54% of games.

    This season, the Bucks have scored the first basket 57% of the time this year. That’s really good. However, the Celtics have scored the first basket in 63% of games this year. That’s way better.

    The Bucks have allowed the first basket 31% of the time to power forwards and 31% of the time to centers this season. Those are the two positions we should target for the Celtics tonight.

    Boston will likely start Jayson Tatum, Porzingis, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday. Tatum and Porzingis would be the two to look at here.

    Porzingis has scored 30% of the team’s first baskets this season, while Tatum has scored 28% of the team’s first baskets. Although Tatum has played in 17 more games than Porzingis this season, Porzingis is only two first baskets behind Tatum this season.

    Therefore, we’ll go with Kristaps Porzingis to score the first basket tonight.

    Bet: Kristaps Porzingis (+500)

    Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

    The Thunder will have Chet Holmgren for the tip against John Collins of the Jazz.

    Holmgren has already earned the tip in two games against Collins this season. The rookie center for the Thunder has participated in the opening tip 67 times this season. In those 67 games, he’s added the tip in 61% of games.

    Meanwhile, Collins has won the tip in 36% of games after participating in 33 of them this year. The Jazz have only scored the first basket in 31% of games this season, while the Thunder have scored the first basket in 52% of games this year.

    The Thunder have the edge here.

    The Jazz have ultimately allowed 40% of first baskets to centers this season. With Holmgren adding the team’s first basket in 25% of games this season, we’ll give him a shot tonight. He’s nailed ten first baskets this season and has a really good matchup to add his 11th.

    Bet: Chet Holmgren (+490)

    Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday:

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