NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Thursday (3/20)

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We’ve got just a five-game slate in the NBA tonight. Still, there’s value on the board, especially in the first-basket market. I’ve added my favorite two bets and shared them below.

Follow along and make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today’s best prop bets.

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NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets

(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. Golden State Warriors

The Toronto Raptors will send out Jakob Poeltl for tonight’s game. He’s won the opening tip 53% of his 51 attempts. Plus, his success has also helped the Raptors score first 58% of the time this season.

Meanwhile, the Warriors will likely roll with Draymond Green. Green has won the tip in just 31% of his 13 attempts this season. In addition, the Warriors have scored first just 43% of the time this year.

It’s likely the Raptors start the game with the ball and get the first opportunity to score. That said, the Warriors have allowed the first basket to shooting guards 24% of the time and centers 23% of the time. Those are the two positions to target for the Raptors.

In 51 starts, Poeltl has scored the first basket in eight games. He’s also scored the team’s first basket in 31% of games and attempted the first basket in 24% of games. Poeltl should win the tip, but he also has a good chance of scoring first tonight.

Pick: Jakob Poeltl (+700)

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers will run it back with Jaxson Hayes at center. He’s participated in 21 opening tips this season and has won 67% of them, helping Los Angeles score the first basket in 62% of games.

Meanwhile, Brook Lopez will give it a shot for the Bucks. He’s participated in 67 opening tips but has only won possession first 58% of the time. Therefore, the Bucks have scored first just 53% of the time.

Ultimately, the Lakers have the edge when it comes to scoring first. Additionally, the Bucks have allowed the first basket to power forwards 25% of the time. That’s the position we’ll want to focus on with the Bucks.

That would be Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo has scored the first basket in eight games this season. He’s also scored the team’s first basket in 29% of games while adding the team’s first field goal attempt in 27% of games. These are all fantastic rates. Ride Antetokounmpo to score first.

Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+440)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: