There are three NBA Playoff games scheduled for tonight. I looked at each matchup and decided on the best two first basket wagers for tonight. Here’s our top NBA first basket scorer predictions for Magic vs. Celtics.
Follow along and make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today’s best prop bets.
Wednesday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets: Magic vs. Celtics
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Who will score the first basket in today’s NBA games? We compare historical first-basket stats to prop bet odds to help identify today’s best bets. View first-basket odds across sportsbooks here.
Magic vs. Celtics
The Orlando Magic will use Wendell Carter Jr. in tonight’s tip-off against Kristaps Porzingis and the Boston Celtics. Carter has won the tip in 60% of games this season. However, the Magic have only scored first in 49% of games this season. As a matter of fact, Porzingis and the Celtics won the tip-off in the first game but weren’t able to score first.
Franz Wagner eventually added the first basket a minute and 30 seconds into the game. Still, it’s likely the Celtics win the tip and get the first shot off. After all, Porzingis has added the tip in 80% of games this season, and the Celtics have scored first in 62% of games this year.
That said, the Magic have allowed the first basket to power forwards 26% of the time this season. With Jayson Tatum doubtful for tonight, Al Horford would be the main candidate. Horford has scored the first basket in four games this season. He’s also added the team’s first field goal attempt in 21% of games started, which only trails Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis.
Let’s give Horford a chance at +750.
Pick: Al Horford (+750)
