NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Saturday (2/1)
Saturday's NBA action is a jam-packed slate with nearly every team in action. This means there is a lot of opportunity to find plays for any NBA fan or bettor. If you're looking to get in on the action early, here are a few value first-basket plays.
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Saturday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bets
Who will score the first basket in today’s NBA games? We compare historical first-basket stats to prop bet odds to help identify today’s best bets. View first-basket odds across sportsbooks here.
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Brooklyn Nets at Houston Rockets
Houston is fresh off of a tough loss on Thursday night against the Grizzlies. They'll take on a reeling Nets team who just snapped a seven-game losing streak of their own. Houston will be looking to bounce back in what should be a good matchup for them.
Brooklyn has struggled against bigs, especially in first-basket situations. For Houston, All-Star center Alperen Sengun missed the game Thursday and is questionable for Saturday, but if he plays he should get a strong look for the first basket.
Sengun, as evidenced by his All-Star selection, has been a catalyst offensively for the Rockets. He's cashed this prop in almost a quarter of the games he's played with 11 first baskets in 46 starts. His volume is one of the best in the league and he's been taking advantage of it. Against a Brooklyn frontcourt that has been struggling this year, I like him even with the questionable designation.
Pick: Alperen Sengun (+480)
Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has started to find their stride this season as they've won seven of their last 10. On Saturday, they'll play the worst team in the league, Washington. I expect Minnesota to get off to a hot start and I'll be backing Naz Reid to get the first basket.
Reid will be getting the start for an injured Julius Randle. Randle is second on the team for first-team scores. His position is valued in this offense and Reid is a solid replacement option at that power forward position.
When you take into account that Washington gives up more first scores to forwards than any other position, his value in this prop is evident. I'll take that value in this matchup.
Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers
Phoenix is hoping for a second-half surge to make up for a less-than-stellar start to the year. To do that they'll need to both stay healthy and get big performances from their stars like Devin Booker. With a matchup against the Trail Blazers on Saturday I think they can get one of those strong outings.
Devin Booker scored his team-high 13th first-team basket on Wednesday in the loss to Minnesota. He's had a bit of foul luck as only seven of these resulted in a first-basket cash. He faces a Portland team that is averaging over 2.5 field goal attempts before their first make he has a good chance to get one.
Portland's first basket rate is one of the worst in the league at under 33% and they have struggled by giving up first scores to shooting guards at a high clip. This is a perfect storm for Booker to get going early and elevate his team in the process.
Pick: Devin Booker (+500)