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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (3/20)

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Let’s get our quick fix in.

There are only five games on the NBA slate. I will be adding three first-basket bets to my betting portfolio tonight. I need one to hit to profit. Let’s see if we can make it happen.

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Monday:

View 5-star bets and historical prop performance by players with our Prop Bet Analyzer >>

Monday’s Best First Basket Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers have won the tip once through two games this season. However, the 76ers still have the advantage.

The Bulls have only won the tip in 29% of games this year and have scored the first basket in only 47%. On the other hand, the 76ers have won the tip in 46% of games but have also scored the first basket in 64% of games.

Even when the 76ers don’t win the tip, they play good enough defense to get a stop and score on the other end.

Joel Embiid is typically the go-to guy for the 76ers in this spot. He’s earned 19 first baskets and has 11 first-shot attempts this year. Let’s roll with Embiid.

Bet: Joel Embiid (+260) 

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets

The Rockets and Warriors have played three games this season. Houston won the first tip, while the Warriors won the second and third tip-offs.

Golden State scored first when the Rockets won the tip and the Rockets added a first basket in a game where the Warriors won the tip.

But I write these articles on probability. The Warriors have a higher probability of winning the tip and scoring first.

Golden State has won the tip in 46% of games while the Rockets have only won the tip in 30% of games. Golden State scored 58% of first baskets. The Rockets are below 50%.

Klay Thompson is usually looking to get hot early for the Warriors. Meanwhile, Steph Curry rarely takes the first shot. So let’s ride with Thompson, who has 13 first baskets for the Warriors, despite missing some time earlier this season.

Bet: Klay Thompson (+460)

Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Don’t bother taking any Dallas Mavericks player. The Mavericks have only won the tup in 32% of games while adding the first basket in just 38% of games.

The Grizzlies have earned the tip-off in 66% of games and scored the first basket in 64%. Memphis has also won the tip against Dallas in two of three games this year. The chances Memphis wins another tip-off are much higher than Dallas.

I like Desmond Bane in this spot. Bane has nine first-basket attempts with six made first-baskets this season. But he’ll be on a court without Ja Morant. That’s made him the top-scorer on the Grizzlies this season.

Bet: Desmond Bane (+470)

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