We’ve got a nine-game slate in the NBA tonight. With that, we’ll have nine first baskets. I’ve added two first baskets that I’ll be firing on below.
Also, make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today’s best 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.
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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have won the tip in over 80% of games when Zach Edey is on the floor. Ultimately, when Edey is the tip-man, Jaren Jackson Jr. typically gets the first shot.
The Grizzlies have 24 first baskets in 33 games, which is where Jackson has started. He has also made five first baskets this year.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will battle against the Mavericks, who have only won the tip 51.4% of the time when Dereck Lively II gets the start.
Therefore, it’s likely Edey will beat Lively for the tip tonight. If that’s the case, the most likely scenario is Jaren Jackson Jr. scoring the first basket in this game.
Even at +370, I’ll take my chances with Jackson Jr. to score the first bucket in this game.
Pick: Jaren Jackson Jr. (+370)
San Antonio Spurs at Chicago Bulls
It’s always a good time to fade the Bulls in the first-basket market. Behind Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls have won the tip in just 8.6% of games this season.
It’s doubtful Vucevic will win the tip over Victor Wembanyama, who has added the tip in 71.4% of games this year. This is ultimately the biggest tip mismatch of the slate.
Let’s take advantage.
If the Spurs get the ball first, look for Jeremy Sochan to shoot it first. He’s already added the first shot in 15% of games this season, despite making just one first basket this season. Sochan has the highest first-shot percentage on the Spurs in the starting lineup. It’s even more than Victor Wembanyama, who has taken the first shot 13.8% of the time.
Furthermore, Sochan has only started 17 games this year. He hasn’t had as many opportunities, but percentage-wise, he’s still taking the first shot more than Wembanyama.
Let’s roll with Sochan to score first at +750.
Pick: Jeremy Sochan (+750)
