NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Sunday (2/9)

First baskets are complex props to analyze, but the reward could be substantial. Let’s look at two players who could score the first points today in the NBA.

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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)

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The Bucks’ season has been up and down with winning and losing streaks. They are currently in the middle of a rough patch. They are 2-6 in their last eight games, with five of those losses coming by 10+ points. What makes it worse is that they will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo as he will miss another game with a calf injury.

It will be a tough matchup against the 76ers, who finally have all their prominent players in the lineup. It hasn't helped them win recently, but it has helped them get the first basket, as they've converted six of their last 10 first-basket attempts. Tyrese Maxey has carried this team despite all the injury problems throughout the season. He's been their primary scoring option, leading the team in points per game and first baskets. During this 10-game stretch, he's leading the team with four of the six first baskets they’ve scored.

Pick: Tyrese Maxey (+650)

Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors

The Rockets have played well throughout the first half of the season, but they've hit their biggest wall, with six straight losses. They have struggled offensively during that span, as their 108.5 points per game ranks 25th since January 30th.

The scoring overall hasn’t been great, but they've been getting first points with five first baskets made in their last seven games. The Raptors will be the worst team they will face during this stretch, so they hope to break this losing skid. Not only is Alperen Sengun the best on the team in first baskets, but he also leads the league.

Pick: Alperen Sengun (+450)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday: