NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Sunday (12/22)
First baskets are complex props to analyze, but the reward could be substantial. Let's look at some players who could get the game’s first points on Sunday, December 22.
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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)
Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors will not be a playoff contender this year. They are 7-21 and second-to-last in the Eastern Conference. They are in a rebuilding phase, having let many of their best players in recent years go via free agency, including Fred VanVleet.
The one good part of their game has been getting first baskets; they were nearly at 60% last year. This season, they're even better at 64%. Recently, they've recorded the first basket in eight out of their last 10 games. The Rockets have not been as lucky, with just five in their last 10.
Gradey Dick is having a much better sophomore season going from 8.5 points per game to 18.5. More importantly, he is leading the team with six first baskets. The Rockets have been the most vulnerable to guards, allowing 39% of the first baskets to guards.
Pick: Gradey Dick (+800)
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Nuggets have not looked dominant this season, but they still have a ton of talent. They just need to get to the playoffs and they will have a chance to win. They are always in contention when they have Nikola Jokic on the court. As usual, he leads the team in points (31), rebounds (13) and (9.8) assists, all of which are top three in the league.
We'll see how much he can boost those numbers against a disappointing Pelicans team. We're not seeing their potential because most of their starters are injured. When all the players you lean on aren’t on the court, you get seven-game losing streaks like they are on now.
New Orleans has been solid at first baskets with a 54% first-basket rate, but the Nuggets' 64% mark is one of the league's best. Jokic has his hands on the ball in almost every possession. With him having the advantage with guys like Zion Williamson not covering him, he should get the first points today.
Pick: Nikola Jokic (+390)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday: