We’ve got a massive NBA slate on the horizon tonight. There will be a total of 10 different players that will score the first baskets tonight.
It’s our job to find a few of them.
Here are my favorite first-basket bets in the NBA.
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
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Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Boston Celtics have won the tip 60% of the time and have scored the first field goal 70% of the time. It’s taken the Celtics just 1.7 shots to score their first field goal.
Jayson Tatum has five of the team’s first field goals in 10 starts. He’s only taking one shot of the first three taken per game, but he’s already converted on four first baskets for Boston.
The Celtics have a strong chance of getting the ball first. When Boston gets the ball first, they’ve been one of the more efficient teams at scoring early.
Let’s back Tatum to get the first basket tonight.
Bet: Jayson Tatum (+550)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have also won the tip 60% of the time while scoring 60% of first field goals this season. It’s taken the Bucks just 2.1 shots to score their first field goal.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers only win the tip 40% of the time and need 3.3 shots to score their first field goal. It’s more likely that the Bucks will score first on their home floor.
The only consistent first scorer on the Bucks would be Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis already has four of the team’s first field goals and has scored three of the game’s first field goals this season.
It’s a short price, but there’s still value. Grab Antetokounmpo to score first.
Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+270)
New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets
The Knicks are winning the tip 50% of the time. But they’ve needed almost four shots per game to score their first basket.
Still, the Nuggets haven’t been great at winning the tip this year, winning it just 30% of the time. If the Knicks have the ball first, they’ll be in a better position to score the first field goal.
RJ Barrett has already scored the first basket twice this season. He’s sitting at +700 and is arguably New York’s best scoring option. I know Barrett hasn’t taken a lot of shots early in games this season, but knowing that the Knicks should have the ball first makes me want to take a chance.
Let’s take a shot at Barrett to score the game’s first field goal in this one.
Bet: R.J. Barrett (+700)
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