NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Thursday (5/9)
We’ve got an exciting two-game slate in the NBA Playoffs tonight. Therefore, we’ll have two NBA First Basket markets to attack before the game.
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Let’s dive into our top NBA First Basket scorer bets for Thursday’s playoffs action.
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics
At this time, we’re unsure if Jarrett Allen will start in Game 2 for the Cavaliers. A rib injury has kept him out for over a week. If he were to play, he’d be the center for the opening tip. That said, sportsbooks currently don’t have him listed on the First Basket market, so it’s unlikely he will play. Therefore, Evan Mobley would tip off against Al Horford of the Celtics.
Since Kristaps Porzingis went down, Horford has done the tip. He’s won it twice in two tries in the playoffs, and the Celtics scored first in both games. Therefore, the Celtics have a higher chance of scoring first in this game.
During the regular season, the Cavaliers allowed centers to score the First Basket 32% of the time. No other position scored the First Basket over 19% of the time against the Cavaliers. While Horford isn’t the highest contributor offensively for the Celtics, he’s an exciting candidate for the First Basket at +1000 odds.
He started 33 games this season and actually made three First Baskets. When he started, he also took the team’s first field goal attempt 18% of the time. It’s worth a little gamble to take Horford.
Bet: Al Horford (+1000)
Dallas Mavericks @ Oklahoma City Thunder
In the night’s second matchup, the Dallas Mavericks will send Daniel Gafford to compete for the tip against Chet Holmgren of the Thunder. Gafford has won the tip 57% of the time in the playoffs. However, in seven games, the Mavericks have scored first in 86% of the games.
On the other hand, Holmgren has won 60% of the five tips he’s been involved in. Despite the win percentage, the Thunder have only scored first 20% of the time during the playoffs.
Still, Holmgren beat Gafford for the tip in Game 1 of this series, and I’d be surprised if he didn’t do it again in Game 2. Dallas also allowed the center to score the First Basket 29% of the time this season.
That bodes well for Holmgren, who already has a First Basket made earlier in the playoffs. Holmgren also scored the team’s first field goal in 28% of games and added the team’s first field goal attempt in 30% of games throughout the regular season.
Bet: Chet Holmgren (+450)