NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (12/1)

Friday is here again and with it comes a small NBA slate of just six contests. First Basket props are a great way to get your weekend started off right. Let's take a look at some of my favorite spots to back for First Baskets on Friday.

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Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic

These are two young teams going in wildly opposite directions. Orlando is the hottest young team in the league while Washington would have the worst record in the NBA if not for the Detroit Pistons. Luckily for us bettors, none of that matters when it comes to who scores the first baskets.

Washington lacks in a lot of areas, but scoring isn't really one of them. Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma pack a potent one-two punch from an offensive perspective - specifically when it comes to first basket props. For Friday, I'm targeting Poole against these Magic.

While most teams tend to give up first opponent field goals to bigs, Orlando goes the opposite way. This season, they've actually struggled against guards. With a potent defensive front line anchored by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, that is no surprise. Against guards however, they have allowed well over half of their opponent first scores. Poole himself isn't shy about taking any shot and if he gets a shot early here, he'll take it. This is a bet on him making it.

Pick: Jordan Poole (+700)

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics

This will be one of the biggest matchups in the Eastern Conference this year. There will be a lot of action on the game so here's my best bet to get an early win for this contest.

Boston has been a juggernaut all year in almost every aspect of the game. One place they've truly excelled is by securing first basket wins. No team in the league has been as impressive in cashing the prop, doing so in over three quarters of their games so far. Amongst their players, they spread the ball pretty well amongst their many scorers.

However, one matchup really sticks out.

The Celtics' Jaylen Brown has been the most successful at cashing this for the better part of the past two seasons. It's clear Boston is comfortable going to Brown early and often. Philadelphia has a soft spot he can exploit too. The 76ers have given up over half of their first scores to opposing wings and Brown will have the ability to add to that on Friday night.

Pick: Jaylen Brown (+550)

Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks

I'm going back to the well with Jaren Jackson. He's one of my favorite go-to's for first basket scorer, and for good reason. He's already cashed this exact prop in over 20% of games he's started, more than double the league average.

With Morant still out and Memphis devastated by injury, Jackson is really one of two scorers the Grizzlies look to, alongside Desmond Bane. I like Jackson due to the matchup he has against a weak Dallas front court that has already allowed a bunch of opponent first scores to opposing centers and power forwards.

Jackson will remain a solid play as long as Morant is out of the lineup, and even likely when he returns. The Grizzlies aren't great at a lot of things right now, but they have been good at getting First Baskets. I like that trend to continue here with Jackson again.

Pick: Jaren Jackson (+550)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Friday:

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