NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Monday (2/10)
With 10 games on tonight’s NBA slate, there’s plenty of opportunity to hit a first-basket wager. Below, I’ve added two first-basket bets that have some value and look good on paper.
Follow along and make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today’s best prop bets.
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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel 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.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Washington Wizards
Behind Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs have won the opening tip 74% of the time. But despite winning the tip in 74% of games, the Spurs have only scored the first basket in 19 of their 49 games. You’d have to imagine the Spurs will see an increase in first baskets, especially with the new addition of De’Aaron Fox.
That said, the Spurs are likely to win the tip tonight. San Antonio is facing a Wizards team that has only won the tip in 46.2% of games. Washington will likely have Richaun Holmes compete for the tip against Wembanyama.
Ultimately, Wembanyama has scored the first basket in seven of his 43 starts. He’s added a first basket in 16.3% of games this season and is the prime candidate to score first in tonight’s game.
Fox has taken a first shot in one of his three starts for the Spurs but hasn’t scored the first basket. Meanwhile, Harrison Barnes, Devin Vassell and Chris Paul all played a large number of games, but none of them have scored the first basket in more than 8.6% of games played this season.
Ride Wembanyama.
Pick: Victor Wembanyama (+400)
Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have won the tip in nearly 59% of games this season, which has resulted in 25 first baskets scored. That’s not a great rate. However, the Bucks will compete against a Warriors team that has only won the tip in 30.8% of games.
Golden State won’t start a center, either. It’ll be Jonathan Kuminga competing for the tip. He’s only started 10 games this season and certainly hasn’t helped Golden State’s tip-off percentage.
On the other hand, it’ll be Brook Lopez competing for the tip with the Bucks. He’s started almost every game for the Bucks and has made five first baskets this season. Beyond that, he’s attempted the first shot in 16% of games, which is more than Damian Lillard’s 14% rate.
Lopez has scored the first basket in 10% of games this season but has also been more consistent in taking the first shot. He’ll likely win the tip, so let’s also take him to score the first basket for the Bucks.
Pick: Brook Lopez (+550)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: