NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (1/10)
We’ve got plenty of NBA action on the slate tonight!
But some of us want to get a quick sweat and move on. Therefore, I’ve added multiple first basket bets for tonight’s NBA matchups. All you have to do is pay attention to the first minute of the game, and you’ll know if you won your bet.
And be sure to join our BettingPros Discord to discuss the best first basket bets for each and every slate of NBA games with our community of sports bettors!
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Wednesday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are one of the most consistent teams early in games. They’ve added the tip in 63% of games and have earned the first field goal in 63% of matchups. They’ve even attempted the first field goal in 60% of games and only need 1.5 shots to make their first basket.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves have only won the tip in 41% of games. Minnesota has added the first field goal in just 44% of games and has attempted the game’s first field goal attempt in 35% of matchups.
Therefore, the higher probability is on Boston’s side to score first tonight.
Jayson Tatum will likely return to the lineup along with Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White. The Celtics are so consistent that three players on the roster have attempted the team’s first field goal attempt at least 27% of the time.
Those three are Brown, Holiday, and Porzingis. However, only Brown and Holiday have scored the team’s first field goal in 25% of games started or more. On top of that, Holiday doesn’t even have a first field goal made in his last ten games. He started hot early in the season but hasn’t started games well since.
Therefore, we’ll back Jaylen Brown at +500 to score first tonight.
Bet: Jaylen Brown (+500)
Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Toronto Raptors have scored the first field goal in 72% of games this season. They’ve won the tip in 53% of matchups but have only attempted the game’s first field goal attempt in 47% of games. They’re just super consistent with their first possession, only ending 1.2 shots to start the game to score their first basket.
Meanwhile, the Clippers have only won the tip 34% of the time. That’s also led the Clippers to score the first field goal in only 31% of games.
Los Angeles has also attempted the first field goal in 43% of games and has needed 1.7 field goal attempts before scoring the basketball.
Toronto has the edge heading into this game. They’ll start with Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Thaddeus Young.
Only Barnes has more than ten first baskets for the Raptors this year. He’s got 12 and has taken the team’s first field goal attempt in 36% of games. He’s also made the team’s first field goal in 33% of matchups and has three first field goals in his last ten games.
Let’s take a chance with Barnes here.
Bet: Scottie Barnes (+600)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday:
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- NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions
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