NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Thursday (5/2)
We’ve got two more playoff games with tonight’s NBA slate!
The Pacers and Knicks have another chance to clinch the second round of the playoffs. Can both teams start the game fast and add the First Basket?
Here are my top two favorite NBA first basket scorer bets for tonight’s NBA Playoffs.
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
Let’s dive into our top NBA first basket scorer prop bet picks for today’s slate of games.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Milwaukee Bucks @ Indiana Pacers
In the playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks have won the tip in all five games against the Indiana Pacers. However, the Pacers have scored the First Basket scorer in three of the five games.
Of course, if Brook Lopez and the Bucks win the tip, they’ll have a higher probability of scoring first. It hasn’t always worked out for the Bucks, but I’d much rather have a ticket with the team attempting the first shot.
The Pacers allowed the First Basket in 56% of games during the regular season. They gave up the first basket to 24% of point guards and 24% to centers. It’s hard to imagine that Damian Lillard or Giannis Antetokounmpo will return to game action tonight.
Therefore, it’s more likely that Patrick Beverley will be the point guard and Brook Lopez will remain the center for the Bucks in Game 6 of this series.
Meanwhile, Lopez has drained the First Basket in two of five games in this series and has attempted the team’s first field goal in 40% of games. He’s made both of his first field goal attempts and the only two First Baskets for the Bucks in the playoffs. We’ll roll with Lopez at +600 tonight.
Bet: Brook Lopez (+600)
New York Knicks @ Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have played in six playoff games, including the Play-In Tournament. In those six games, Joel Embiid won the tip 67% of the time and helped the 76ers score the First Basket 83% of the time.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Hartenstein of the Knicks has only won the tip in 40% of games this season and has helped the Knicks score first in just 20% of games to begin the playoffs. At home, it’s way more likely that Embiid and the 76ers will win the tip and attempt the First Basket.
Throughout the season, the Knicks allowed the First Basket scorer to small forwards 36% of the time. While Kelly Oubre Jr. hasn’t scored the First Basket in the playoffs yet, he’s still attempted the team’s first field goal in 17% of playoff games and took the team’s First Basket in 25% of games played this season.
At +1000, Oubre Jr. is the way to go.
Bet: Kelly Oubre Jr. (+1000)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: