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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (3/15)

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Tonight’s NBA slate features a doubleheader on ESPN and five other games throughout the night.

But I know some of you want to watch that college basketball play-in game tonight instead. Therefore, we’ll get in and out for tonight’s plays.

Here are some first-basket options that you can look at in the NBA. These bets take less than one minute, and you can return to watching some college basketball!

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

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

Wednesday’s Best First Basket Player Prop Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Philadelphia 76ers are essentially the better team than the Cleveland Cavaliers. But it’s more likely that the Cavaliers will shoot the first basket in tonight’s game.

Cleveland will likely still be without Jarrett Allen, who is injured. He won’t be able to do the tip-off. But the 76ers have only won the tip in 43% of games with Joel Embiid.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have won the tip in 65% of games and have attempted the first shot in 62% of games. Cleveland isn’t the most consistent team when shooting first, but I’d much rather bet on the team with the first attempt.

Donovan Mitchell has already earned 12 first-baskets with nine first-shot attempts this season. He leads the Cavaliers in first baskets and should be the featured guy early for Cleveland.

Bet: Donovan Mitchell (+500) 

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets

The Lakers have already ruled out Anthony Davis for tonight’s game. But Los Angeles has still won 65% of games this year while attempting the first shot in 61%.

Meanwhile, the Rockers have only won the tip in 31% of games while attempting the first shot in 34%. The Lakers have the edge here.

But it won’t be Anthony Davis scoring first. He won’t even be playing. So we’ll ride D’Angelo Russell, who should ultimately have a massive game for the Lakers as the primary scorer tonight.

Bet: D’Angelo Rusell (+500)

Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Dallas Mavericks have won the tip twice against the Spurs this season. But chances are, the tip-win streak against the Spurs ends here.

The Mavericks have only won the tip in 32% of games this year, while the Spurs have earned the tip in 46%. Dallas has also shot the first attempt in 35% of games, while the Spurs have taken the first attempt in 53%.

Therefore, I’ll side with the Spurs to score first on their home floor. San Antonio is currently getting high production out of Zach Collins. He’s already attempted five first shots and has two made first baskets since starting for the Spurs.

Bet: Zach Collins (+500)

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