NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Thursday (4/25)
We’ve got another three-game slate in the NBA Playoffs tonight.
All three games are Game 3s, which means the lower seed is the home team in all three matchups. In all three head-to-head matchups, the lower seed has yet to win a game this season, so it’ll be important for each team to start off the night strong.
Therefore, scoring the first basket and adding some momentum is important. I’ll be placing a couple of first-basket bets tonight.
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic
The Cavaliers have been the first team to score in the first two games of this series. However, Jarrett Allen has only won the tip once in two games against Orlando’s Jonathan Isaac.
That said, Allen ultimately won 75% of tips this season and helped the Cavaliers score first 55% of the time. Isaac rarely attempted the tip this season, and the Magic also scored the first basket in only 48% of games.
Therefore, the Cavaliers have the advantage to win the tip and score first. So far, Orlando has allowed a first basket to the Cleveland shooting guard and small forward. But the Magic have allowed the most first baskets to power forwards this season.
Although Evan Mobley has four made baskets in 50 games started, he’s still scored the first basket in 24% of games this season. We’ll try our luck with Mobley tonight.
Bet: Evan Mobley (+700)
New York Knicks @ Philadelphia 76ers
Although Isaiah Hartenstein lost a tip-off against Joel Embiid in the regular season, he’s won the tip in two consecutive games in the playoffs.
Embiid clearly isn’t 100% healthy. That’s ultimately hurt his ability to win the tip. However, despite Embiid only winning the tip in one of three games in the playoffs, the 76ers have scored the first basket in two of the three games (including the Play-In Tournament game).
However, the Knicks’ probability of earning the tip and shooting the ball first is higher. So we’ve got to roll with the Knicks to score first tonight.
The 76ers gave up 50% of first baskets to power forwards and centers this season. Although OG Anunoby has only made five first baskets in 50 games started, he’s still added the team’s first field goal attempt in 20% of games and has scored the team’s first basket in 16% of games. Let’s take a chance with +1000 odds on Anunoby.
Bet: O.G. Anunoby (+1000)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: