NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Sunday (4/6)
As the season wraps up, there's still a lot to settle in the standings. The best way to win is to grab the first points, so let's look at which player could do that for their team today.
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Sunday's Best NBA First Basket Scorer Props
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
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.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Chicago Bulls
It's another disappointing season for the Hornets as they will miss the playoffs for the ninth straight year. There is a ton of talent on this team; the problem is they can’t stay on the court. They will look to play spoiler as the season wraps up.
They are going up against Chicago today, who are already locked into the NBA Play-In Tournament, but their spot isn't. They are currently ninth, which would mean they would have to win two games to get into the playoffs, but the seventh and eighth seeds are still in play. They would only need to win one game if they got either spot. The problem with Chicago all season is that they start slow and convert a league-worst 38% of first baskets.
Charlotte has been getting off to hot starts lately, grabbing eight of the last 10 first baskets. With injuries throughout this lineup, they're digging deep in the roster. DaQuan Jeffries has been getting a boost in minutes, and it's helped him get the first basket in three of their last 10 games.
Pick: DaQuan Jeffries (+950)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have the top seed in the Western Conference locked up, but they don't have the best overall record secured, with the Cavaliers still having a chance. This team is one of the best overall rosters because they have the depth. They've dealt with injuries throughout the season, but they've stayed resilient and played their basketball.
While they're settled into the No. 1 seed, every other spot in the Western Conference is up for grabs. The difference between the No. 3 and No. 8 seeds is two games, so realistically, a team currently in the NBA Play-In Tournament could host a first-round series. The Lakers hold down that No. 3 seed, and they have a tough stretch ahead, starting with back-to-back games in Oklahoma City.
It’s no surprise the Thunder are one of the top first-basket-converting teams in the league, scoring the first basket in eight of their last 10 games. The problem with the Lakers is their lack of presence inside since trading away Anthony Davis. Oklahoma City has a formidable center in Isaiah Hartenstein, averaging 11.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. He will be a mismatch for anyone on the Lakers.
Pick: Isaiah Hartenstein (+1100)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday: