NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/3)
There are a couple of opening tip matchups that have caught my eye tonight, and there are some matchups I can’t wait to attack in the first basket market.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Indiana Pacers @ Brooklyn Nets
The Nets haven’t done much well this season. However, winning the tip is something they’ve excelled at. Nic Claxton of the Nets has added an opening tip in 64% of games this season, which has led to the Nets scoring the first basket in 50% of games this season.
Claxton is already 2-0 against Myles Turner of the Pacers, and he’ll likely win the tip again tonight.
Turner has won the tip in only 46% of games for the Pacers this year, which is ultimately why the Pacers have scored first just 43% of the time this season.
The Pacers have watched centers score 26% of first baskets and point guards score 23% of first baskets this season. I’ll be looking at those two positions for the Nets tonight.
Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton would be the two targets. While Thomas has only scored four first baskets in 45 games, Claxton has earned 24% of the first basket and has scored the team’s first basket in 35% of games. Claxton has 16 first baskets in 66 games and is listed at +600, behind Mikal Bridges and Thomas.
Let’s take a chance with Claxton.
Bet: Nic Claxton (+600)
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Grizzlies likely don’t have a chance of defeating the Bucks tonight. They’re a 13.5-point underdog. However, the Grizzlies are way more likely to score the first basket. That’s all we care about!
Memphis will have Jaren Jackson Jr. for the opening tip. He’s won the tip in 70% of games this season and has helped the Grizzlies score first in 53% of games this year.
On the other hand, he’ll go up against Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez, who has only won the tip in 54% of games.
Memphis should get the ball first and have an opportunity to score first.
The Bucks have already allowed 30% of first baskets to go to power forwards and another 27% to centers. We’ll want to attack those two positions with Memphis.
While Santi Aldama only has two first baskets in 35 games, Jaren Jackson Jr. has scored the team’s first basket in 40% of games this year. He’s also added the first field goal attempt for the Grizzlies in 35% of games and has scored 16 first baskets this season.
Jackson Jr. is the play at +490.
Bet: Jaren Jackson Jr. (+490)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: