The Celtics and Mavericks have traded first baskets to begin the NBA Finals. Al Horford added a dunk in the first matchup, while Luka Doncic drained a 13-foot jumper in the second game to score the first basket.
Who will score first in tonight’s game?
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Here are our top NBA First Basket scorer prop bet picks for tonight’s NBA Finals game between the Celtics vs. Mavericks.
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 >>
Wednesday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks
Al Horford will be participating in the tip against Daniel Gafford in Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Dallas.
Horford has competed in 12 opening tips but has only won the tip 42% of the time during the playoffs. Despite his struggles, the Celtics have still scored first in 63% of games this season.
Meanwhile, Gafford has only won 47% of his 19 opening tips in the playoffs. Yet, the Mavericks have been just as consistent as the Celtics, scoring first in 68% of games.
In addition, Horford and Gafford have each won once head-to-head during the NBA Finals.
The matchup looks very even throughout the playoffs. However, the Celtics still look like the better overall team when it comes to scoring first.
After all, Horford has won the tip in 59% of the time this season, while Gafford only won the tip in 38% of games this season. Furthermore, the Celtics have scored first in 63% of games, while the Mavericks added the first basket in 57% of games.
The Celtics still have a slight edge heading into Game 3.
This year, the Mavericks have allowed the first basket to centers 29% of the time. They’ve also allowed the first basket to power forwards 26% of the time.
Horford already has a first basket in the NBA Finals and has scored the team’s first field goal once in 12 games. Tatm, on the other hand, has added one first field goal in 16 games played in the playoffs. Let’s give Horford another shot.
NBA First Basket Scorer Bet: Al Horford (+800)
On the other hand, if you like the Dallas Mavericks to score first, you’ll want to consider Luka Doncic. Doncic has scored the first field goal in five of 19 games during the playoffs.
He’s added the team’s first basket 47% of the time and has attempted the team’s first basket in 42% of games. In addition, he’s nailed the first basket 26% of the time for Dallas in the playoffs.
NBA First Basket Scorer Bet: Luka Doncic (+550)
