NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Saturday (12/21)
Saturday provides a full slate of NBA action. With games going off all evening, there is plenty to whet any fan or bettor's appetite. Here are a few strong First Basket plays to get in on the NBA weekend action.
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Saturday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Who will score the first basket in today’s NBA games? We compare historical first basket stats to prop bet odds to help identify today’s best bets. View first basket odds across sportsbooks here.
Memphis Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks
Both of these teams have gotten off to better than expected starts in 2024-25. Additionally, both of these teams have been very good scoring First Baskets this year. Atlanta has slowed down a bit in recent weeks in that regard though and Memphis has managed to continue their hot streak on this prop.
I'll be targeting the Grizzlies in this game and when looking at matchups there is one that sticks out as very beneficial to Memphis. Although he hasn't put up the numbers on First Basket that he has in the past few seasons, Jaren Jackson is still very live in this game. Atlanta gives up more first scores to bigs than any other players on the floor and Jackson has the skill to take advantage.
His three First Baskets this year are just a meager total but his six first team scores indicate he's getting opportunities. I like him to take advantage of a good matchup and score us a First Basket on Saturday.
Pick: Jaren Jackson (+470)
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls
These two teams met up on Thursday with the Bulls upsetting the Celtics in Boston. This game heads to Chicago and as interesting as the overall game could be, we only care about the first few possessions. For Boston, they're a team that has scored first in only about half of their games, but Chicago has been pretty awful, scoring first for just the fourth time all season on Thursday. I like Boston to return the favor on Saturday.
For Boston, if Kristaps Porzingis gets the ball early you can be sure he will shoot. He took the first shot of the game on Thursday and missed the opportunity. If he had made it, it would have been his fourth First Basket eight starts and his seventh first team scores in as many starts.
Chicago has given up first scores to opposing centers at an alarmingly high rate. With Porzingis being a big who can shoot, he's doubly dangerous against the Bulls. So long as the numbers are on his side, he's a strong play and I'll be backing Porzingis in this rematch.
Pick: Kristaps Porzingis (+500)
Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves
Both of these teams are coming off of massively disappointing losses on Thursday. Golden State had a historical loss at the hands of the Grizzlies and the Timberwolves were run off the court in a revenge game spot with offseason trade partners, New York. How will these teams respond on Saturday?
If season-long stats are any indication, Minnesota should get off to a good start. They've scored first in well over half of their games this year while Golden State is under the 50% mark. Additionally, the Timberwolves have a good matchup they can exploit. The Warriors weakness is shooting guards when it comes to First Baskets and the Timberwolves have a great one.
Anthony Edwards has six of these prop wins this season already. With two additional first team scores, it shows that the Timberwolves like to go to Edwards early in these games. With the strong matchup against Golden State, he's a solid play to round out my Saturday card.
Pick: Anthony Edwards (+420)