NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Monday (3/3)
There are seven games on tonight’s NBA slate. I reviewed each opening tip and compiled my two favorite first basket bets of the night.
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.
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.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Atlanta Hawks at Memphis Grizzlies
The Atlanta Hawks will roll with Onyeka Okongwu for tonight’s tip. He’s participated in 19 opening tips and has won 53% of them. In addition, the Hawks have only scored first 48% of the time this season. These aren’t terrible rates. However, they look worse against Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies. Jackson has won the tip 73% of the time in 22 tries. The Grizzlies have also scored the first basket in 67% of games this season.
It’s way more likely that the Grizzlies will win the tip and get the first shot attempt.
Meanwhile, the Hawks have allowed the first basket to each position at least 23% of the time, except for the point guard position. Heading into this game, Desmond Bane has added the first basket in 26% of games this season. He’s also scored the team’s first basket in 30% of games and has attempted the first basket in 28% of games.
Bane is the play at +500 odds.
Pick: Desmond Bane (+500)
Portland Trail Blazers at Philadelphia 76ers
Andre Drummond will get the start at center for the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. He’s participated in 18 opening tips and has won 84% of them. Tonight, he’ll take on Donovan Clingan of the Blazers. However, the rookie has only won the tip in 24% of his 17 opening tips.
Ultimately, the Blazers have scored first just 41% of the time, while the 76ers have scored first 53% of the time this season.
In addition, Drummond has already added a head-to-head opening tip win against Clingan earlier this season.
That said, Portland has allowed shooting guards to score the first basket 28% of the time, the highest rate allowed across all positions.
Oddly enough, Quentin Grimes doesn’t have a first basket made this season between playing for the Mavericks and 76ers. However, he’s got two 30+ games with the 76ers and is coming off a 44-point performance last time out. Don’t be surprised if the 76ers get Grimes going early again.
Let’s rock with Grimes to score first for the first time this season at +1000.
Pick: Quentin Grimes (+1000)