NBA First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Wednesday (4/9)
We’ve got another loaded NBA slate tonight. I’ve added two first-basket wagers to hopefully profit early in at least one of these games.
Follow along and make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today’s best prop bets.
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Wednesday’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.
Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls
It sounds like Bam Adebayo will be back on the court for the Miami Heat tonight. Adebayo and the Heat have won the tip in 62% of games this season and usually get the first shot attempt in nearly two out of every three games.
Adebayo will be in line to face Nikola Vucevic of the Bulls. Vucevic has been one of the worst at winning the tip this season. Ultimately, the Bulls have won the tip 19% of the time collectively, which is the worst rate in the NBA.
It’s very likely the Heat will win the tip and attempt the first shot. With that said, the Bulls have allowed the first basket to point guards 26% of the time. Ultimately, that would give Tyler Herro the edge tonight.
Herro has scored the first basket just six times this season. He’s also attempted the first shot in only 4.1% of games. However, he’s in a great position tonight to land his seventh first basket of the season.
Let’s take a chance with Herro.
Pick: Tyler Herro (+550)
San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors
The San Antonio Spurs have won the tip nearly 70% of the time this season. While Victor Wembanyama was a big help early on, the Spurs have still sustained success with the tip behind Bismack Biyombo.
Meanwhile, Biyombo will take on a Warriors team that hasn’t even started a center. The Warriors use Draymond Green for the tip, and he’s been below average in that department. Overall, the Warriors have won the tip in just 40.5% of games this season.
Therefore, the Spurs will likely win the tip and get the first shot attempt. The Warriors have allowed the first basket to power forwards 23% of the time and to small forwards 23% of the time. Those are the two positions we’ll want to target on the Spurs.
Ultimately, Devin Vassell will likely start at small forward. He’s added the first shot in 9.5% of games this season and has also made the first basket in 9.5% of games. Take a chance with Vassell.
Pick: Devin Vassell (+600)