NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Tuesday (12/31)
Tuesday's NBA slate is filled with six games on the schedule. only one game but it carries plenty of weight. Before the action tips off, let's make a couple of NBA first basket picks. We’ll target the Grizzlies vs. Suns and the Clippers vs. Spurs matchups. Both games have some key injuries that will impact our first scorer predictions.
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, December 31st.
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Tuesday's Best NBA First Basket Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns
Let's head to Phoenix for Tuesday’s top NBA first basket pick. The Grizzlies take on the Suns in what should be an entertaining Western Conference showdown. Due to some key injuries, the player pool is narrowed a bit when picking who will score first in this matchup.
The Grizzlies boast an 81.8% win rate on opening tip-offs this season. In turn, they've scored the first basket in 22 of 33 games (68.8%). A large part of that success is due to Zach Edey's size advantage on jump balls - but the rookie is out tonight with a concussion. That likely leaves Jaren Jackson Jr. to take the opening tip.
At first glance, Edey's absence might give the edge to Phoenix on the initial tip. Yet, the Suns are also without their starting center as Jusuf Nurkic serves a suspension. That means the 6-foot-10 Jackson Jr. will go head-to-head with 6-foot-10 Mason Plumlee at the start. Jackson can hold his own in this matchup. Plumlee is just 2-5 on opening tips this year and he went 2-9 last season in 11 starts with the Clippers.
Memphis will also be without Ja Morant, who is week-to-week with a shoulder injury. This puts Desmond Bane in a much bigger offensive playmaking role. Bane's seven made first baskets lead the active Grizzlies' roster, as does his 28.0% first basket per game started rate. He's also taken the first shot in 20% of games (second only to Jackson's 30%).
Pick: Desmond Bane +600
Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs
Let's now turn our attention to tonight's Clippers vs. Spurs matchup. When picking an NBA first basket bet from this game, it all starts with Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-3 Frenchman immediately gives San Antonio an advantage to win the opening tip-off.
Wemby has a 21-6 record on opening tips this season for a 77.8% win rate. He's also won nine straight initial jump balls coming into tonight's game. He'll face off with Clippers center Ivica Zubac. The 7-footer usually has a size advantage himself - but not tonight.
Last year, Wembanyama went 2-1 on opening tips vs. Zubac. It’s a small sample size but just enough to go off of. Let's bank on that trend continuing as Wemby wins the first possession for San Antonio.
As for the Spurs' first scoring option, it’s pretty wide-open. No current projected starter has scored more than two first baskets this season. Though that's discouraging, it also presents value. Jeremy Sochan's 16.7% first-shot attempt rate is the highest among the Spurs' starters, so let's grab his longer odds than Wemby, Devin Vassell, and Chris Paul.
Pick: Jeremy Sochan +800