After an exciting week of Play-In games, we are finally getting started with the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Saturday brings us four games, and with a whole day of NBA action, there is no better time to make some plays on First Baskets. Here are three of my favorite plays of the day.
Season to Date: 15-42-5, +6.89 units
Saturday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers
This is perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the first round in the Eastern Conference. More so than maybe any other series, this one has a chance to go the distance. When it comes to First Baskets, there is also a lot of intrigue.
Season numbers show no real edge between Mitchell Robinson and Jarrett Allen when it comes to the opening tipoff. In addition, both teams scored first field goals in over half of their games. In order to find a First Basket play I like here, I needed to find a matchup edge, and we have that with Julius Randle.
The matchup with Cleveland is interesting, as the Cavaliers have struggled against opposing power forwards. On the season, about a quarter of opposing first field goals came to power forwards. This is a matchup I expect Randle to expose as he led the Knicks in scoring this season. He's a little banged up with an ankle injury, but if he's on the court, he's a strong play for First Basket.
Pick: 0.25u on Julius Randle (+475)
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