NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (2/14)
There are 13 games on the NBA slate tonight as we near the All-Star Break this weekend.
While there are a few games tomorrow, we won’t see many NBA games on the slate until next Thursday. Let’s enjoy this massive slate and find some value for the first-basket market.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have won the tip in 73% of games this season. That’s ultimately winning the tip in three of every four opportunities.
The Cavaliers have added the first field goal in 56% of games and attempted the first field goal attempt in 63% of games.
Meanwhile, they’ll face a Bulls squad that has only won the tip in 41% of games. Chicago has added the first field goal in 44% of games and has added the game’s first field goal attempt in 44% of matchups. The Bulls have needed 2.3 field goal attempts before scoring the first basket this season. That’s one of the worst rates in the NBA.
Therefore, I’m riding with the Cavaliers to score first in this game.
They’ll likely start with Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Max Strus.
Mitchell has drained the first field goal 18 times this season. He’s also hit six first field goals in his last ten games. Mitchell has attempted the first field goal attempt in a team-high 35% of games. He’s also added the team’s first field goal in 42% of matchups, which is also a team-high.
Let’s take Donovan Mitchell to add the first basket in tonight’s game, too.
Bet: Donovan Mitchell (+410)
Sacramento Kings vs. Denver Nuggets
The Sacramento Kings rarely win the tip. The Kings have won the tip in 31% of games this season, which isn’t even a third of games this year. Essentially, the Kings have won three of every ten tips this season.
Sacramento has still added the first field goal in 50% of games and has attempted the game’s first field goal in 46% of matchups. The Kings are solid when they get the ball, it’s just rare that the Kings get the ball first.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets have won the tip in 53% of games and have added the first field goal in 55% of matchups. Denver has also taken the game’s first field goal attempt in 53% of games.
Therefore, Denver has an edge here. The Nuggets should win the tip and shoot the ball first. Averages prove that the Nuggets have a much higher probability of scoring first with the ball first.
As of now, Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are expected to play in this game despite their nagging injuries. They’ll likely be in the starting lineup with Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon.
Jokic is a guy we know will play. He’s attempted the team’s first field goal in 43% of games and has added the team’s first field goal in 31% of games. He’s got 16 first-field goals this season and has had three in the last ten games.
Let’s ride with Jokic, even at +320.
Bet: Nikola Jokic (+320)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: