NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Sunday (1/19)
First baskets are complex props to analyze, but the reward could be substantial. Let's look at two players who could score the game’s first points on Sunday, January 19.
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Sunday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Props
Who will score the first basket in today's NBA game? 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)
Denver Nuggets vs. Orlando Magic
The Nuggets are on a stellar run as they've won nine of their last 12, sitting in the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and looking ready to climb even further. The offense has been great all season, especially with this collection of players, but recently it's been the defense that has helped, allowing fewer than 106 points in four of their last six games.
Usually, we would point to Nikola Jokic as the reason for their success, but it's been all Jamal Murray as of late. He's led the team in points in three straight, one of which was a 45-point performance. He also has a first basket made in that span and leads the team with seven. The Nuggets are going against a good Orlando defense today, but they've allowed opponents to score the first basket in five of their last seven. We'll stay with the red-hot Murray to score today’s first basket.
Pick: Jamal Murray (+700)
San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat
The Heat are in what could be deemed a transition period. Jimmy Butler has returned from his suspension, but it looks like he will not be with the team much longer. There are a lot of incentives for both parties; Miami wants him to perform well so they gain trade value and Butler wants to play well so a playoff contender wants him. The Heat are a playoff contender themselves.
They take on the Spurs, who are a rebuilding team, but who are much better than last year and they could contend for at least the Play-In tournament. Victor Wembanyama vs. Bam Adebayo will be a great opening tip-off matchup, but we'll slide with the veteran Adebayo. Butler needed that first game to shake off the rust, but he should be all good today and that means scoring the first points.
Pick: Jimmy Butler (+550)