NBA First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Saturday (3/22)

Saturday's NBA action is small in total games but packed with action. This means there is a lot of opportunity to find plays for any NBA fan or bettor. If you're looking to get in on the action early, here are a few value first-basket plays.

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Saturday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Props

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Brooklyn Nets at Indiana Pacers

These two played an overtime thriller on Thursday night and are back at it again on Saturday. In that Thursday matchup, Nic Claxton won the tip and Keon Johnson made the first attempt of the game to cash the first basket. Typically, lightning doesn't strike twice. In this case, I’m betting it will.

Indiana has been one of the worst opening tip winners all season and while Claxton wins less than half of his tip attempts, he still has an advantage. When you look at the data, Indiana gives up first scores to guards more than any other position. Keon Johnson has scored first for the Nets in 11 of his 45 starts and added his fourth first basket on Thursday. He's shooting first for Brooklyn in nearly one-third of those starts, too, so he's getting plenty of first-basket opportunities. I like him to get another one on Saturday.

Pick: Keon Johnson (+500)

Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers sat Luka Doncic with LeBron James already out on Thursday. Things didn't go well for them but they still won the opening tip, a common theme since Jaxson Hayes joined the starting lineup. Another common theme is Hayes scoring first for Los Angeles. In 21 starts this season for the Lakers, he's scored the first points an incredible 11 times, leading to seven first baskets.

The Bulls are a great matchup for Hayes. In almost one-third of the games they've played this season the opposing center scored first for their team. All of the numbers point to Hayes being the play here, so I'll follow the trends.

Pick: Jaxson Hayes (+470)