NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Thursday (11/21)
Last night, we nailed Brook Lopez to score the first basket. Let’s keep that momentum heading into tonight’s four-game NBA slate.
Below are two first-basket scorer picks I’ll be riding with tonight.
Also, make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today’s best prop bets.
Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets
(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.
Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte Hornets
Jalen Duren will tip off for the Pistons and go up against Taj Gibson of the Hornets.
Duren has won the tip in 57% of games this season and has helped the Hornets score in 69% of games. On the other hand, Gibson has only won the tip in 40% of his first five attempts. Throughout the season, the Hornets have only scored first in 50% of games.
In a matchup on November 6, Gibson beat Duran with the tip, allowing LaMelo Ball to score the first basket. However, it’s still statistically more likely Duren will win the tip and give the Pistons the first shot this time.
So far, the Hornets have allowed the first basket to small forwards 43% of the time.
It’s unclear if Tim Hardaway Jr. will play in tonight’s game. He’s typically the starting small forward. However, for example, FanDuel does not have him listed in the first basket market. They’ve got Malik Beasley instead.
Beasley has added the first basket in one of three starts this season. He’s the best option at +1100 odds. If Hardaway Jr. starts, grab him instead.
Pick: Malik Beasley (+1100)
Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Orlando Magic will roll with Goga Bitadze in tonight’s tip-off against Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis has won the tip 54% of the time, while Bitadze has only won it 44% of the time.
Both teams are way below average in first baskets made. However, if the Lakers win the tip, they’ll have a much higher chance of scoring the first basket. Orlando has allowed the first basket to centers 33% of the time, meaning Anthony Davis has the best chance at scoring the first basket tonight.
While Davis has only won the first basket in 13 games started, he’s added the team’s first basket in 31% of games. This will all eventually even out. Let’s back Davis to score first tonight. He’s still taking a lot of shots early on.
Pick: Anthony Davis (+430)