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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (3/8)

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Tonight’s NBA slate consists of seven games, with two nationally televised games on ESPN.

If you’re looking to place some quick bets in the NBA and then shift focus to college basketball, you should consider adding first-basket bets to your portfolio.

I’ve added multiple first-basket bets to mine and discussed them below.

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Wednesday:

View 5-star bets and historical prop performance by players with our Prop Bet Analyzer >>

Wednesday’s Best First Basket Player Prop Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards

The Hawks and Wizards played in one game earlier this year. The Hawks won the tip and scored first. But that usually isn’t the case.

Atlanta has only won the tip 40% of the time and has attempted the first basket in 45% of games. Meanwhile, the Wizards have earned the tip 67% of the time while taking the first shot 66% of the time.

The Wizards have also added more first baskets this season, scoring 61% of first baskets compared to Atlanta’s 54%.

With Kristaps Porzingis able to do the tip in this game, I’ve got Washington earning the first shot attempt.

Porzingis also has the most potential to score the first basket. He’s added 13 first-shot attempts and 11 first-baskets this season. That leads the team. He’s even in front of Bradley Beal, who has attempted nine first shots and has scored ten first baskets.

I’m rolling with Porzingis here.

Bet: Kristaps Porzingis (+410) 

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat have each earned one tip and first basket in two games played against one another.

But the Cavaliers are way more consistent in earning the tip and scoring first as a whole.

Cleveland has won the tip 63% of the time while scoring the first basket 52% of the time. Meanwhile, the Heat have only won the tip 52% of the time and have added the first basket 36% of the time. Even when the Heat win the tip, they’re never a lock to score first with the ball.

Darius Garland has attempted a team-high 12 first shots this season. That’s more than Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell. I’ll take the point guard to get the job done.

Bet: Darius Garland (+700)

Dallas Mavericks vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans will play their fourth and final game against the Dallas Mavericks in the regular season. Dallas won the tip in the first meeting between these two teams, but the Pelicans added the tip in their last two games against the Mavericks.

The percentages are playing out correctly. New Orleans has won the tip in nearly 50% of games, while the Mavericks have won just 33%. New Orleans has also scored the first basket more times than they’ve won the tip, earning the first basket in 55% of games.

There are two players to look at for the Pelicans. Brandon Ingram has scored 11 first baskets while Jonas Valanciunas has scored 14 first baskets. Those are the only two consistent first-scorers for the Pelicans. You wouldn’t be wrong to back either one or both in this spot. At least one should end up scoring the first basket.

Bet: Brandon Ingram  (+420)
Bet: Jonas Valanciunas (+470)

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