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NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (5/17)

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The Miami Heat went from playing in the Play-In Tournament to playing in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Jimmy Butler has played in an NBA Finals but hasn’t won one. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum of the Celtics has also played in the Finals but hasn’t earned a Championship.

One of those stars will be playing for their first Championship again. The team that jumps out with a win first will be in the driver’s seat.

Which team is going to get off to a hot start tonight?

Here are some first-basket props to try for the Boston Celtics-Miami Heat Eastern Conference Finals Game 1.

Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>

Wednesday’s Best First Basket Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics

The Miami Heat haven’t been great at scoring the first basket this season. The Heat have only nailed 36-of-93 first baskets this year. That’s just 39% on the season.

Meanwhile, the Celtics have hit the first basket in 47% of games and have been much more consistent. They’ve attempted 57% of first shots this season, while the Heat has only attempted the first shot in 49% of games.

The Heat and Celtics have played four games this season. The Celtics have scored first in all four games and won the tip in 50% of those games.

Funny enough, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, and Derrick White scored the first basket for the Celtics against the Heat. You can rule out the big men on the Celtics from scoring first.

Therefore, Tatum, Brown, and Smart are the three most likely candidates for the Celtics to score first.

But Jaylen Brown has attempted 23 first-shot attempts, while Tatum and Smart have combined to take just 15 first-shot attempts. It’s a trend where Brown mostly takes the first shot for the Celtics.

Brown isn’t always the most efficient. But Boston’s defense has been very good against the Heat early on in games. Brown has also already hit one first-basket against the Heat and added eight more first shots than Smart and Tatum combined.

Therefore, I’ll roll with Jaylen Brown to score first at +440.

Bet: Jaylen Brown (+440)

 

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Wednesday:

Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>

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