NBA Finals First Basket Scorer Picks: Celtics vs. Mavericks (Game 4)

The Celtics take their 3-0 lead into Game 4 in Dallas. Just one win away from their first championship in 16 years, the Celtics will be looking to get off to a hot start and leave no doubt.

On the other side, Dallas will look to take the first step towards a historical comeback and force a Game 5 on Monday. A quick start will go a long way to helping that cause.

With a lot riding on this game for both teams, let's take a look at some strong First Basket plays.

Friday's Best NBA First Basket Scorer Player Prop Bets

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Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks

For a series in which all three games have gone to the under, the shotmaking early in these contests has been nothing short of excellent. Both teams have managed to make their first shot from the field in all three games, so it's really come down to which team has been able to win the opening tip. Both teams have been a bit under 50% in the postseason, but Daniel Gafford has won two of the three tips in this series.

If Dallas wins the tip again, there is only one player that I'll be looking at for a First Basket. Luka Doncic has a lot to prove after what was a disappointing performance in Game 3. He saw his team fall short of a massive comeback while he sat on the bench after fouling out. He is the MVP candidate of this team and was publicly called out by members of the basketball media. He'll seek out a mismatch and attempt to nail the first score.

Doncic has had success doing this all year. His 15 first scores account for one sixth of the games he's started this season, and he's scored first for the Mavericks in nearly twice the amount of games. Luka has attempted the first or second shot for the Mavericks in every game this series and cashed the First Basket in Game 2. I like his matchup in Game 3 and think he'll be a strong play given the circumstances.

Pick: Luka Doncic (+430)

Clearly, Dallas isn't the only team in this series. The Boston offense has been excellent through the first three games. Although they were led by Jaylen Brown all year when it comes to First Baskets, he hasn't been as much of a factor in this series. That's because Boston has been taking advantage of the matchups Dallas has struggled with all year.

More than any other position, Dallas has allowed first team scores to opposing bigs. This would have been an excellent spot for a player like Kristaps Porzingis, but he's been sidelined with another injury. In his stead, just like he did all season, Al Horford has stepped up. He actually scored Boston's first points in Games 1 and 3, one of which was a First Basket. His numbers don't quite compare to some of the offensive stars in this series, but his matchup advantage has already shown through. I like its chances to do so again.

Pick: Al Horford (+950)

My last pick will be the guy that has really stepped up big time for this Celtics team. Jrue Holiday was brought in to the roster to add championship experience and get this team over the hump with his defense. However, it's been his offense that has helped spark some of the amazing runs we've seen. This includes success in the first-score realm.

Holiday has attempted one of Boston's first two shots in each game of this series and has a first team score in Game 2 to show for it. Again, he hasn't put up the First Basket numbers like his teammates Brown and Tatum, but his matchup and success so far in this series make him a solid play to sprinkle.

Pick: Jrue Holiday (+1200)