NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Friday (1/31)
Friday's NBA action is a jam-packed slate with plenty of games. This means there is a lot of opportunity to find plays for any NBA fan or bettor. If you're looking to get in on the action early, here are a few first-basket value plays.
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Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bets
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.
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Clippers at Charlotte Hornets
The Clippers have been one of the hottest first-basket teams over the past few weeks. They'll put that mark on the line Friday against the Hornets. The Clippers have a decided advantage as they are scoring their first points on almost one whole fewer attempt on average than the Hornets. I'll be backing one of the Clippers in this game.
Charlotte gives up more first scores to centers than any other position. That's great news for Ivica Zubac, who leads the Clippers with eight first baskets on the season. He should be able to take advantage of the mismatch with Charlotte and the Clippers feel comfortable going to him early. He's a strong play in this contest.
Pick: Ivica Zubac (+460)
Chicago Bulls at Toronto Raptors
Overall, the season hasn't been great for Toronto. They currently find themselves squarely in the lottery conversation. But the future is bright with a lot of talented young pieces. One area where they have thrived is first baskets. The Raptors have scored first in 30 of their 47 contests. While this hasn't translated to wins, we only care about that first score when it comes to first-basket picks.
Chicago not only gives up first scores to opposing centers more than any other position. They give up one of the highest rates in the league. In 48 games this year, they gave up the first basket score to the starting center 18 times, including Wednesday's loss to Boston. Toronto has a center that has thrived in this spot all season. Jakob Poeltl has seven first baskets already this season. I'll be backing him to pick up an eighth on Friday.
Pick: Jakob Poeltl (+490)
Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans
After dominating this prop for the past few years, Boston has fallen back to the middle of the pack. Recent weeks have seen them perform a little better but they've become more of a situational spot than a must-play. On Friday against New Orleans, they have one of those good situations.
You may be sensing a theme, but I'll be backing the Boston center in this one. New Orleans does give up a fair share of first baskets to the big men, but I like it because Kristaps Porzingis has thrived in these spots for years.
On Wednesday, Porzingis picked up his eighth first basket of the season. That number isn't too eye-popping except that it was only his 23rd start of the season. Porzingis has a great matchup against a banged-up Pelicans team. I'll keep playing him while he's hot.
Pick: Kristaps Porzingis (+420)