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NBA First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Monday (Heat vs. Celtics)

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It’s been do-or-die for the Boston Celtics since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. However, in Game 7, it’s do-or-die for the Celtics and the Miami Heat. The Heat allowed the Celtics to tie up the series after earning a 3-0 start.

Will the Boston Celtics get off to another hot start, just like their last few games?

Here’s a first-basket wager I’m eying for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have scored the first basket in each of their last two games despite the Miami Heat winning the tip.

The Heat have won the tip in three straight games. However, the Celtics have scored the first basket in four of the six games in this series.

Boston has won the tip in 49% of games, while the Heat has won it in 48%. The difference is that the Heat have scored the first basket in only 38% of games, while the Celtics have earned the first basket in 48% of games.

The Celtics have also attempted the first shot in 10% more games than the Heat has this season.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have made the first basket in the playoffs against the Heat. Both also have a regular season first-basket against the Heat.

Tatum has only attempted 12 first shots, while Brown has attempted 25. Brown likes to try to get things going early more than Tatum.

But I’m going to go in a different direction here. I like Derrick White to get the first look and score. He’s coming off a major put-back bucket to force a Game 7 for the Celtics. He’s got a ton of confidence, and the Celtics will be looking to get him involved early. It’s not just because of that shot, though. He’s been hitting three-pointers at a very high rate in this series. They’ll need his shot-making to open the game up.

Let’s go with Derrick White to score the first basket in Game 7.

Bet: Derrick White (+1000) 

Also make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday:

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