NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Saturday (12/7)
Saturday provides a small slate of only seven games but it's chock full of action. If you're looking for a way to get into the action early, First Basket is a great way. Here are a few of my favorite plays for Saturday.
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Saturday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Props
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets
The Cavaliers and Hornets get the day started with a matinee matchup in Charlotte. The Cavs bring their scorching 20-3 record with them and they'll look to get off to a hot start for win 21. Meanwhile, Charlotte is hampered with injuries and suddenly finds themselves sliding to 6-16 after a nice start. Can they slow down one of the hottest starting teams in the league?
Cleveland has scored first in 15 of the 23 games they've played this year. This has been fueled by towering big men, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Those two have combined for eight first team scores in the 23 games. Six of these are attributed to Mobley and all have been First Baskets.
Against a team like Charlotte, that gives up a lot of first scores to bigs, Mobley is a solid play. I like him to add to his team-leading six First Baskets with another one to get things going on Saturday.
Pick: Evan Mobley (+600)
Denver Nuggets at Washington Wizards
The Wizards couldn't be any colder. Currently on a franchise-record losing streak, they welcome the always dangerous Nuggets into town. Although the record suggests that the Nuggets aren't quite to the level of their championship season, the offense is still lethal, including in early game opportunities.
Twenty games into the season and Denver has scored first in 12 of them. Against this defense in Washington, I like them to add a 13th. When you look at some of the matchups, one that stands out is Nikola Jokic against this Washington frontcourt.
Surprisingly, Jokic secured only his second First Basket on Thursday against Cleveland but he's been too good at cashing this prop over the last few years to ignore him. Plus the matchup against Washington is favorable. The Wizards’ top opponent first scorers are big men and very few are as talented offensively as Jokic. He's worth backing again on Saturday.
Pick: Nikola Jokic (+400)
Memphis Grizzlies at Boston Celtics
The Celtics are playing the second night of a back-to-back and hosting Memphis. Friday's game with Milwaukee was hard-fought and it's possible we see some regular starters sit. Going up against a strong First Basket team like Memphis makes me want to back the Grizzlies.
There are plenty of great options for the Grizzlies. Desmond Bane leads the team in First Baskets while Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke have done well with this prop to start the season. However, I'm headed in another direction.
Last year, Jaren Jackson Jr. led this team in First Baskets, partially due to his health but also because he was frankly one of the best at cashing this prop. Boston has a weakness against opposing bigs and Jackson fits that mold here. He only has three First Baskets so far this season, but I like him to heat up starting Saturday.
Pick: Jaren Jackson Jr. (+550)