NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Wednesday (1/22)
With nine games on tonight’s slate, nine opportunities exist to win in the first-basket market.
After looking at a bunch of first-basket data, I’ve added two of my favorite first-basket longshots below.
Follow along below and make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today’s best prop bets.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Wednesday’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.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Houston Rockets
The Cleveland Cavaliers have won the tip in 81% of games this season, which has led them to score the first basket 26 times. Ultimately, if they continue to win the tip at a rate of 81%, the number of first baskets should rise.
Meanwhile, they’ll take on a Houston Rockets squad that has won the tip in 40.5% of games this season. Yet, Houston has earned the first basket in 25 games this season. Despite missing out on 40% more tips, the Rockets are just one first basket off from the Cavaliers.
Eventually, the Cavaliers should pull away and score more first baskets. This is the game they can do it.
Ultimately, Donovan Mitchell has taken the first shot in 23.7% of games. He’s made just five first baskets, though. However, I’ll take a chance with Mitchell this time, knowing the Cavaliers have a good shot at winning the tip-off behind Jarrett Allen.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell (+400)
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Charlotte Hornets
The Memphis Grizzlies have won the tip nearly 77% of the time this season behind Zach Edey and others. This has led to the Grizzlies scoring the first basket 28 times this season.
Meanwhile, Memphis will battle a Hornets team that has won the tip 53.8% of the time. That’s not a horrible rate. However, the Hornets have only scored the first basket 18 times this season. That’s bad, considering the Hornets have won the tip in more games than not.
Edey is likelier to win the tip against the Hornets in tonight’s game, giving the Grizzlies a better chance at scoring first. While Jaren Jackson Jr. has taken the first shot in 25% of games, it’s Desmond Bane who has scored the most first baskets. He’s got nine, while Jackson has six.
Neither are bad options, but the better value is certainly Bane, who has a +600 price tag compared to Jackson’s +460 odds. Take Bane to score first tonight. Again, he’s already nine first baskets this season.
Pick: Desmond Bane (+600)