NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Friday (5/9)
The NBA Conference semi-finals are heating up with two Game 3 matchups on Friday. Cleveland will look to swing some momentum back in their favor, while Oklahoma City will attempt to regain home-court advantage in their series versus Denver.
A great way to get some quick action on these crucial games is with first-basket wagers. Here are some of my favorite plays.
Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings 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.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have been stellar in the postseason with first baskets. A big reason why is that Myles Turner has started to win opening tip-offs. He was well below 30% during the regular season, but has won each of the first two opening tips in this series. Historically, though, Jarrett Allen has an edge.
This is a crucial game for Cleveland on the road, and I expect them to come out strong. Look to none other than star guard Donovan Mitchell to get things started. Mitchell has been a force all season with 21 first-team scores in 77 starts. This includes Game 2, where he attempted each of Cleveland's first three shots.
Another person I'm looking for in this game is Evan Mobley. He didn't play in Game 2 with a sprained ankle, but there's a chance he plays in Game 3 with extra rest. He's been Cleveland's top first-basket player all year. He canned the first points in Game 1, his 17th of the year and leads Mitchell in team first scores with 22.
Both of these picks have value. Indiana has had serious luck on opening tips, and Cleveland has been a fantastic first-scoring team all year. Mitchell and Mobley have led the way for Cleveland, looked to as key contributors. In a game where they need to avoid the dreaded 0-3 hole, look for Cleveland’s stars to shine from the jump.
Picks: Donovan Mitchell (+500) & Evan Mobley (+600)
Oklahoma City at Denver Nuggets
The Thunder got back on track in Game 2 as they demolished the Nuggets to tie the series 1-1. Headed back to Denver, this is a crucial game for both teams to try and take control of the series.
So far, Oklahoma City has had the edge in the opening tips, winning both. However, they have been unable to cash in on a first basket as the Nuggets scored first in both games. With their success on the opening tip, I expect that luck to change in Game 3.
The Thunder are keen on attacking the guard matchups early in games this series. Luguentz Dort has attempted an early shot in each game, including both of the first two attempts for Oklahoma City in Game 2, which resulted in a first-team basket.
The Thunder have found something there with Dort. He's only managed five first baskets up to this point of the year, so you're getting long odds, but I think he's worth a play on Friday night.
Pick: Luguentz Dort (+1100)