NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (3/30)
The NBA has just a small three-game slate for Saturday evening. With a couple of the league’s best teams in action, there are still great opportunities for First Basket bets. Let’s take a look at my favorites.
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Saturday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans
This is perhaps the best matchup of the day with two of the better teams in the NBA linking up. New Orleans has been about as average as a team can be when it comes to First Baskets, but Boston is one of the league’s best.
The Pelicans, like many other teams, tend to give up first scores to opposing bigs. The Celtics have just the big man to exploit this defense. Kristaps Porzingis has been one of the best First Basket prop scorers over the last few seasons. His numbers have a dropped a big since joining a Boston team that has a team full of guys who’ve excelled in this prop, but he’s still holding his own.
Porzingis has cashed 10 of these props this season already. It’s a solid number for a guy who only has 51 starts coming into this game. He gets his opportunities in this offense and should receive another in this good matchup. I like Porzingis to get another one on Saturday.
Pick: Kristaps Porzingis (+500)
Memphis Grizzlies at Orlando Magic
The Grizzlies will be on the outside of the playoffs this year in what’s been a disastrous season. Of course, this is no consolation to the team, but they have one of the best First Basket scorers in the league. Going up against a Magic team that is susceptible to giving up first scores in games, this is another great matchup for Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson is becoming a must play for this prop. He’s been the Memphis offense for most of the year. That’s why he has 22 first team scores and 16 First Basket props. His ability to score all over the court makes him the perfect kind of player for this prop.
Orlando gives up first scores to opposing bigs more so than any other position on the court. Jackson is the prototypical modern big man and thrives in these matchups. Since the offense runs through him, he’s a great play for Saturday night.
Pick: Jaren Jackson Jr. (+420)
Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have caught fire to end the season while trying to hold onto their Play-In Tournament spot. They’ll welcome a Bucks team that is fighting for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Both of these teams are pretty strong when it comes to First Baskets, but there’s one matchup in particular that I like.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a typical go-to guy in these spots. Milwaukee likes to go his way to get the offense started, and he has no hesitations attacking the basket. Atlanta is a team that gives up first scores to big men pretty often, so the matchup is very favorable for Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo is pretty good at cashing these props himself. He’s scored first for the Bucks in 23 starts and that’s been good for 14 First Baskets of his own. I love him to cash this prop again Saturday night.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+360)