We’ve got a six-game slate in the NBA tonight, which ultimately means we’ll have six first-basket scorers tonight. I looked at each game and added my two favorite first-basket props for tonight.
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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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.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Miami Heat
The Memphis Grizzlies will turn to Zach Edey for tonight’s tip against the Miami Heat. Edey has won the tip in 69% of games this season, which has resulted in the Grizzlies scoring first 58% of the time.
Meanwhile, he’ll battle Kel’el Ware of the Miami Heat. Ware has won the tip in 47% of 30 opening tips this season. Additionally, the Heat have scored first 51% of the time, which is seven percentage points lower than the Grizzlies.
Edey also already earned an opening tip against Ware earlier this season. It’s way more likely the Grizzlies end up with the ball first and take the first shot.
That said, Miami has allowed the first basket to power forwards 32% of the time. Therefore, Jaren Jackson Jr. is a good fit for tonight. He’s added eight first baskets this season and has attempted the team’s first field goal in 28% of games this season. Take a chance on Jackson.
Pick: Jaren Jackson Jr. (+550)
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Golden State Warriors will likely have Draymond Green for tonight’s tip. He’s won the tip 50% of the time in 18 tries this season. However, the Warriors have still only scored first 45% of the time.
Meanwhile, he’ll take on Jaxson Hayes of the Lakers. Hayes has participated in 28 opening tips this season and has won 64% of them. He’s also contributed to the Lakers scoring first 57% of the time this season.
Hayes is one of only two players on tonight’s slate who have won the tip in over 60% of games. Edey of the Grizzlies is the other, and we exploited that matchup in the write-up above.
The Warriors have allowed the first basket to shooting guards 29% of the time this season. Austin Reaves is that guy. He has nine first baskets this season to lead all Lakers starters. He’s also attempted the first basket in 28% of games played this season for the Lakers.
Pick: Austin Reaves (+650)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
