There are only four games on Tuesday's NBA slate, but we still have some top NBA first basket scorer picks to lock in! Before the action tips off, let's target predictions for the Grizzlies vs. Suns and the Pistons vs. Bulls matchups.
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 writing, but shop around for the best odds. Enjoy these NBA first-basket picks and predictions for Tuesday, February 11.
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Tuesday's Best NBA First Basket Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns
The marquee matchup on tonight's NBA slate features Phoenix hosting Memphis in the late TNT game. Before you enjoy the Western Conference showdown, let's dive into which team and player might score the first basket.
Memphis immediately has an edge to gain the first possession and score. At 7-foot-4, rookie center Zach Edey is a true difference-maker on jump balls and it's translating directly to the first basket scorer prop. The Grizzlies have a 73.1% win rate on opening tip-offs this season with Edey taking the majority. They've also scored the first basket in 34-of-52 games (65.4%).
Edey has an impressive 21-9 record on opening tips this year. Notably, he's lost three tips to Victor Wembanyama (completely understandable). So, Edey boasts an elite 77.8% win rate on tip-offs against anyone not named Wemby.
Meanwhile, Nick Richards has a poor 2-9 record on his opening tips since becoming the Suns' starting center via trade. Richards also has just a 6-14 record on tips this season overall between Charlotte and Phoenix. Edey should win the tip vs. Richards, giving Memphis a great shot at scoring first.
As for the Grizzlies' scoring options, Desmond Bane leads the team in made first baskets (12) and first baskets per game started (29.3%). Plus, his 22.0% first shot percentage is second only to Ja Morant's 23.3% this year. Let's roll with Bane to cash the first basket scorer prop.
Pick: Desmond Bane (+600)
Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls
For our other first-basket prediction, let's turn to Chicago hosting Detroit in an Eastern Conference matchup. Any time the Bulls are in action, we can confidently fade them when it comes to the first basket scorer prop. Let's break down how and why we're doing it tonight.
Chicago has a league-low 15.1% win rate on opening tip-offs this season. Bulls center Nikola Vucevic regularly struggles on these jump balls and at 6-foot-10, his slightly smaller height doesn't help. In turn, the Bulls have scored the first basket in just 15-of-53 games this year for a poor 28.3% rate.
The Pistons have a decent 47.2% win rate on opening tips with 28 made first baskets in 53 games (52.8%). These are so-so numbers but they look a lot better when compared to Chicago. In his career, Detroit center Jalen Duren is 4-1 in tip-offs vs. Vucevic.
There are many ways to go on Detroit for who might score first. Tobias Harris has the most first baskets (6) while Cade Cunningham is the Pistons' young star. Veteran Tim Hardaway Jr. even provides value with a bigger payoff. Yet, multiple stats and trends point to Duren after he wins the tip.
Duren's physicality and athleticism give him an edge against Vucevic head-to-head. Notably, Duren has scored the Pistons' first points in three of five career games vs. the Chicago center. Even though both are the same height, Duren can still dominate the paint. In his last four games against Vucevic, Duren is averaging 18 points and 14.5 rebounds with a double-double in each.
Pick: Jalen Duren (+650)
