NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Picks & Predictions: Sunday (4/9)

by John Supowitz |
Apr 09, 2023

First baskets are always fun because it's a big payoff if you hit them. Let's see who is grabbing the first score on today's slate.

NBA First Basket Cheat Sheet: View advice for today's best bets >>

Sunday's Best NBA First Basket Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls

The Bulls have earned themselves the 10th and final playoff spot and will participate in the Play-In Tournament. They might not be as easy of an out as you think because, although their offense has underperformed, they present one of the toughest defenses in the league.

They finish the regular season against the Pistons, who will finish the season with the worst record. The Bulls hold the advantage in tip-off wins and first baskets. Vucevic has been dominant in the paint, helping the Bulls grab their points with seven first-team baskets in the last ten games.

Pick: Nikola Vucevic (+440)

New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves

The Pelicans' final regular season game could mean a lot in the standings. If they can win, and if the Warriors, Lakers, and Clippers all lose, they can jump from the eighth to the fifth seed and not participate in the Play-In Tournament.

The key to Pelicans' recent success has been their ability to get the first points, and they have five-straight first baskets. Jonas Valanciunas has two of those, but he also is one of the top first-basket scores in the league, and Minnesota allows the highest percentage of first-baskets to centers.

Pick: Jonas Valanciunas (+500)

Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are absolutely out to win tonight. Los Angeles could get the sixth seed via tiebreaker if they can defeat the Jazz and the Warriors lose to the Trail Blazers.

Los Angeles holds a significant advantage in tip wins 48%-35%. They like to look for Davis down low, and he leads the team in first baskets and first three shots per game. Look for him to grab that first opportunity in this one.

Pick: Anthony Davis (+370)

Check out our other top picks for Sunday: