NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Tuesday (11/12)
The NBA season rolls on tonight with eight games on the Tuesday schedule. Every matchup is also part of the NBA Cup’s Group Play action. If you want to get some instant action on Tuesday's NBA games, then check out these NBA first basket best bets.
NBA first basket bets are quick and easy ways to place wagers with bigger payouts - and you'll know if they cash right away. Let's try to find some winners for a pair of games on Tuesday night. Note that all betting lines are accurate as of this writing, but shop around for the best odds. Enjoy these NBA first basket picks and predictions for Tuesday, November 12!
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Tuesday's Best NBA First Basket Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid is set to make his season debut for Philadelphia tonight after missing time with a knee injury and a three-game suspension. If you've been following the NBA, it's no secret the 76ers have missed their MVP center with a 2-7 record thus far. In his much-anticipated return to the court, let's back Embiid to score the first basket against the New York Knicks.
Embiid will go up against Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns at the opening tip-off tonight. Towns has a low tip-winning percentage this season, winning only three of nine (33.3%). That has resulted in opposing teams capitalizing and scoring the first points in over half of the Knicks' games to this point.
The 76ers will likely want to get Embiid the ball right away on offense in front of the home crowd. The Philly center should take their first shot - whether it's in the paint, from the mid-range, or beyond the arc. Embiid has also dominated Towns in their previous matchups. He's scored 51, 32, 34, and 42 points in the past four head-to-head meetings. We all know Embiid likes to play up for the home Philadelphia crowd, too, which gets him extra incentive to win the tip and score the first points in his return.
Pick: Joel Embiid (+390)
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics
The Hawks will be without Trae Young tonight as the star point guard sits with an Achilles injury. His absence immediately opens up value among the first basket props as it pertains to Atlanta's lineup. An under-the-radar name to consider is rookie Zaccharie Risacher. The 2024 first-overall pick has been a bigger part of the Atlanta offense lately, scoring 15+ points in three of the past four games.
Risacher has also already made three first baskets in seven games started this season. Plus, his 33.3% first basket per game started rate is the highest of any projected starter in this Hawks vs. Celtics matchup. Atlanta is clearly trying to get their rookie involved early and he's taking advantage of the opportunities. Risacher's chances at scoring first increase even more without Young on the court.
Hawks center Clint Capela has won the opening tip-off in 63.6% of games this season. That's a strong rate to give Atlanta the first possession and the ball in Risacher's hands right away. Capela should have the advantage over any of the three possible Celtics to take the opening jump ball.
Al Horford is the usual choice to start at center, but he's lost four straight opening tips coming into tonight. Boston has also been starting Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta at times with Horford at power forward. Tonight, it could be the 7-footer Queta, who took the opening tip against Atlanta earlier this season - which Capela won.
Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum are popular choices to score the first basket in this game. However, the value is clear with the rookie Risacher if we're looking at the Hawks’ side of things.
Pick: Zaccharie Risacher (+750)