NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Saturday (11/2)

The NBA season is in full swing. Saturday night provides a full slate of action with plenty of great angles to bet on. For a fun, quick hitter, here are a few solid First Basket plays.

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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Saturday (11/2)

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets

If it isn't broken, don't fix it. I was on the Celtics, specifically Jaylen Brown, for a First Basket play yesterday. He didn't disappoint, taking and making the game’s first shot to give the Celtics the early lead.

Yesterday, I went into great detail about why this was such a great matchup. The Hornets give up early scores to forwards. This was displayed as Brown and Tatum combined to take eight of the Celtics' first nine shots attempts in the game on the Hornets' defense. There is no reason to believe much will change in one day.

Although it was Brown's first First Basket of the year, he was on point all last year during the regular season and Playoffs. His 20 First Baskets in 2023-24 were one of the better marks in the entire league. I expect him to stay hot now that he's cashed one in the early season.

Pick: Jaylen Brown (+500)

Sacramento Kings vs. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have had a rough start to the season, but we're not looking to back them on the spread or moneyline here. Toronto has been one of the better teams at scoring First Baskets since the start of last year, and that's continued through a lot of roster turnover and into this year.

Scottie Barnes has been the go-to guy in these situations, but others on the roster are stepping up with him being out due to injury. One under-the-radar name that has good value in this spot is Gradey Dick. He doesn't have any First Baskets this season, but he does have one first-team score and has taken the first-team shot in a few games already.

Sacramento has given up over a quarter of their opponent’s first scores to shooting guards. Dick fits that mould, and he has the offensive game that is capable of scoring when given the opportunity. It's a longer shot than most of my plays, but I can't pass up the value of the matchup.

Pick: Gradey Dick (+850)

Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets

The Utah Jazz will travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets on Saturday. It'll be the second night of a back-to-back for the Nuggets, so lineups could certainly be in flux. If Denver's starters get some play, there is a solid First Basket pick that I really like.

Last year in the regular season and Playoffs combined, Nikola Jokic cashed the First Basket prop 20 times. Already in the early season, he's added another to the count. It’s a play you must back against a team like Utah that gives up about 26% of their opponent’s first scores to centers.

Jokic remains one of the best players in the league, and he gets the Denver offense started. There is always some risk in Jokic not playing with the back-to-back, but if he's confirmed in the lineup, he'll be on my First Basket card for Saturday.

Pick: Nikola Jokic (+380)