NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (3/27)
We’ve got a massive 12-game slate on the NBA board tonight. That means we’ll have 12 players who will earn a First Basket.
After looking through each opening tip matchup and the analytics from each team, I’ve narrowed my selections with two First Basket bets for tonight.
Make sure to check out our NBA First Basket cheat sheet for even more betting advice. Also, be sure to join our BettingPros Discord to discuss the best First-Basket bets for every slate of NBA games with our community of sports bettors!
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Wednesday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Houston Rockets @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Jabari Smith Jr. is taking the opening tip for the Rockets right now. He’s attempted the opening tip in nine games this season and only has a 33% win rate.
Meanwhile, he’ll take on Chet Holmgren of the Thunder, who has won the tip in 61% of games this season.
The Rockets have allowed the First Basket to power forwards 34% of the tie this season. That’s easily the worst rate for any team in the NBA to power forwards defensively.
In the Oklahoma City starting lineup, Jalen Williams is the power forward. He’s third on the team in first-field goal attempts and has only made three first-field goals this season, but that’s also why he’s at +700 odds tonight.
At the end of the day, Williams has a nearly identical First Basket percentage in comparison to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Both are at about 20% with First Baskets. So we’ll ride with Williams to score the First Basket tonight.
Bet: Jalen Williams (+700)
San Antonio Spurs @ Utah Jazz
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama has won the opening tip 60% of the time in 63 tries. Although he’s 1-1 against Utah’s John Collins this year, Wembanyama has the edge strictly because Collins has only won the tip in 39% of tries this season.
The Jazz have scored first in 33% of games this season, while the Spurs have scored first in 54% of games. Wembanyama gives the advantage to the Spurs.
Utah has allowed 25% of First Baskets to power forwards and another 25% to centers this season. They’ve given up a First Basket in two of every three games played this year.
Over the last 10 games, Wembanyama has only attempted the team’s first field goal in 14% of games. However, he’s made two First Baskets in seven games started and has scored the team’s first score in 43% of games over the last 10.
Wembanyama has also made the First Basket in 29% of games over the last 10 San Antonio games. Let’s roll with the rookie here.
Bet: Victor Wembanyama (+410)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: