NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Thursday (4/24)
We’ve got three matchups in the NBA Playoffs on the schedule tonight. I reviewed each game and found my favorite two first-basket wagers for tonight.
Follow along and make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today’s best prop bets.
Thursday’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.
New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
The Knicks and Pistons have traded opening tips to begin the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Jalen Duren and the Pistons won the tip in the first game, while Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks gained possession in the second game. Ultimately, Towns participated in just two opening tips this season and won one of them. Meanwhile, the Knicks scored the first basket in only 46% of games.
On the other hand, Duren won the tip in 47% of games this season. He’s helped the Pistons score first 50% of the time this year. I’m way more confident in Duren to win the tip and give the Pistons the first shot, especially with Detroit at home.
That said, the Knicks have given up the first basket to small forwards 32% of the time this season. That would be Ausar Thompson, who is already +1000 to score first, despite adding four first baskets this season.
Let’s give Thompson a chance tonight. After all, he’s scored the first basket in 11% of games started, which is only behind Cade Cunningham, who has scored the first basket in 13% of games started.
Pick: Ausar Thompson (+1000)
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Nuggets and Clippers also split the tip-off wins to start the first round of this playoff matchup. Ultimately, Nikola Jokic has added the tip in 61% of games and has helped the Nuggets add the first basket in 55% of games this season.
On the other hand, Ivica Zubac has won the tip in only 28% of games, and the Clippers have scored first in just 38% of games this season.
Meanwhile, Jokic has already won head-to-head matchups against Zubac in the opening tip in two out of three meetings. It’s very likely the Nuggets win the tip and get the first shot off.
The Clippers have allowed the first basket to centers 25% of the time. In Game 2, Jokic took the first two shot attempts for the Nuggets and drained his second shot. He’ll likely take the first shot for the Nuggets. He currently leads the team in first basket percentage and first field goal percentage. Jokic has taken the team’s first field goal attempt in 39% of games.
Let’s ride with Jokic.
Pick: Nikola Jokic (+600)