Lakers vs. Pacers: NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions (Monday)
With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, we can focus again on making money with some first-basket bets. There is a loaded slate tonight which means plenty of options. When identifying the first basket options, many factors come into play. I do my best to identify the best value options that actually have a chance of cashing. Keep in mind there are some long odds here, so you won’t cash too often. But in the long run, it should be a positive expected value.
Here are my favorite first-basket options for tonight’s slate. And let’s take a closer look at my pick for Lakers vs. Pacers.
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Lakers vs. Pacers
Lonnie Walker (+900)
Where the Lakers’ offense doesn’t shine, their defense does, ranking 11th in the nation. Despite a struggle on the offensive side of the ball, I trust a Lakers player here to score first.
Indiana has not had much success scoring first this season. Myles Turner has a 35 percent tip-win rate over the last two years with the Pacers scoring 39 percent of the time. Anthony Davis is questionable but a lot more successful with over a 65 percent tip-win rate.
Davis and LeBron James are the first choices for who might score first, but their value is always over-inflated. Lonnie Walker is the choice here for me at +900, because the first bucket should be from Los Angeles.
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All opening tip and first basket data courtesy of NBA First Basket (@NBAFirstBasket)