Tuesday's NBA slate is jam-packed with nine games on the schedule. Let’s lock in some first-basket scorer picks and predictions before the action gets underway. Our first-basket picks feature the 76ers vs. Timberwolves matchup and the Pelicans vs. Lakers showdown.
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, March 4th.
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Tuesday's Best NBA First Basket Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Philadelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves
It's a lost season for the Philadelphia 76ers, who will likely miss the playoffs while in freefall. Things look even worse with Joel Embiid now ruled out for the season. This Sixers may not win tonight, but they can still score the first points.
Andre Drummond is Philadelphia's starting center with Embiid out. This is good news for the Sixers scoring first. Drummond has won 14 of his 19 opening tip-offs this season when starting - an excellent 73.6% win rate. The veteran big man's experience and size shine through on jump balls.
As for Minnesota, Rudy Gobert has missed the last seven games with a back injury. Naz Reid is starting at center with Gobert sidelined. Reid has played very well lately, but it's a different story on tip-offs. He's 1-6 on tips in the past seven games. Reid will also be at a size disadvantage tonight with his 6-foot-9 frame compared to the 6-foot-11 Drummond.
The Sixers lean heavily on three players to score their first points and take the first shots. It comes down to Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. We'll roll with George, whose 20.5% first-shot percentage and 25.6% first baskets per game started lead the team. His 10 made first baskets are a team-high as well.
Pick: Paul George (+440)
New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers
The Luka Doncic trade is paying immediate dividends for the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. The deal has also directly impacted the Lakers' first basket scorer predictions and expectations.
Since Anthony Davis was dealt away in the Doncic trade, Jaxson Hayes is the Lakers’ starting center. Though Hayes isn't nearly the same dominant two-way player as Davis, he's more than capable on tip-offs to give the Lakers the first possession.
Hayes has won 11 out of 16 opening tips this season for an impressive 68.8% win rate. The seven-footer's athleticism and size are on full display to win jump balls. The Lakers have also scored the game's first points in four of their last five contests heading into tonight.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans have a poor 26.2% win rate on opening tip-offs this year. Rookie Yves Missi has regularly been overmatched on these tips as their starting center. Missi has won just one tip-off in eight tries over the last nine games, including five straight losses coming in.
This Hayes vs. Missi matchup on the opening tip immediately points us towards Los Angeles scoring first. Let's go back to Doncic, who leads the team in first-shot percentage (25%) since joining the Lakers. He's yet to score a first basket, though. Positive regression says Doncic is bound to score first soon.
Pick: Luka Doncic (+470)
