NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Monday (2/3)
There will be 10 first-basket scorers during tonight’s NBA slate. Our job is to find at least one of the 10.
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.
Washington Wizards vs. Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets have won the tip 56.5% of the time, mainly behind Mark Williams at center. Williams has only started 17 games at center but has given the Hornets more opportunities than not. As a result, the Hornets have scored the first basket in 21 games this season. They’ll take on a Wizards team that has only scored the first basket 18 times this year.
Beyond that, the Wizards have won the tip in just 43.8% of games. However, they’ve only had 11 games with Jonas Valanciunas as the starting tip-off man. Valancuinas should be the center in tonight’s game, making it harder for Williams. Still, the Wizards are the worst team in the NBA and take some of the worst shots. It’s hard to trust the Wizards to score first, even if they get the ball first.
Ultimately, Miles Bridges of the Hornets has recorded the first shot in 20% of games while starting 30 games this season. He’s scored the first basket five times and has earned the first basket in 16.7% of games this year. He’s the guy I’ll go with here.
Pick: Miles Bridges (+500)
Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Sacramento Kings have only won the tip in 31.3% of games this season, yet somehow, they have scored 22 first baskets. That’s very impressive but hardly sustainable.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves have won the tip in 55.1% of games this season. Despite that, Minnesota has scored only 27 first baskets this season. If Minnesota continues to get the first shot, the first-basket rate will likely increase over time.
Ultimately, Anthony Edwards has taken the first shot in 19.1% of games this season. He’s also added seven first baskets and has scored the first basket in 14.9% of games this season. He’s the guy I’d trust in this spot.
Let’s also not forget that the Kings just traded away De’Aaron Fox. So even if the Kings win the tip, they won’t have a premier scorer like Fox to rely on early. Plus, Zach LaVine, who the Kings traded for, won’t be available tonight.
Pick: Anthony Edwards (+380)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: