NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Sunday (3/16)
First baskets are complex props to analyze, but the reward could be substantial. Let’s look at two players who could score the first points today in the NBA.
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Sunday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Props
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
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.
Toronto Raptors vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Raptors aren't a threat in the Eastern Conference but they still have a chance to play past the regular season. They are four games out of the final spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament and we're seeing teams like Orlando and Miami fall down the standings, which could help Toronto move up.
They are on a three-game win streak and have scored the first basket in two of those games. They are also one of the top first-basket teams as their 60% conversion ranks third. They will take on the Trail Blazers, who were playing well for some time but have lost five straight and have given up five first baskets out of their last seven games.
Portland has lacked depth at the center position for almost a month without Robert Williams and Deandre Ayton. There is a possibility Williams returns, but we should still look at Raptors big man Jakob Poeltl, who leads the team in first baskets.
Pick: Jakob Poeltl (+550)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic
It's another extended winning streak for the Cavaliers as the team has won 16 straight. The offense continues to be the best in the league. During this winning streak, they are averaging 125 points per game, which leads the league. In the last couple of games, they have done it without Donovan Mitchell, which shows how much depth they have.
It always helps to get the momentum going by scoring the first basket, which they've done in 11 of their last 20 games. The Magic have allowed the first basket in seven of their last 10 games. Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are all contending for the most first baskets on the team. This is a spot where Allen could tie Mitchell and Mobley with nine. Orlando allows the most first baskets to centers. In the last seven games, they have allowed the first basket to centers the most.
Pick: Jarrett Allen (+750)