NBA First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Saturday (2/22)
Saturday's NBA action is a jam-packed slate with many teams in action. This means there is a lot of opportunity to find plays for any NBA fan or bettor. If you're looking to get in on the action early, here are a few value first-basket plays.
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Saturday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Phoenix Suns at Chicago Bulls
Neither team is anywhere near where they expected to be when the season started. Both are currently fighting for their NBA Play-In Tournament lives. These second-half games are important. For Chicago, their first score success is correlated with their overall success. Meanwhile, Phoenix has been very good at first scores.
Chicago struggles against shooting guards in these early-game situations. This is great news for Devin Booker, who has compiled 15 first-team scores even on a fairly talented offense. Eight of those have resulted in a first basket. I like his chances to pick up a ninth in this matchup.
Pick: Devin Booker (+430)
Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers
There has been a lot of disappointment with the Paul George and Philadelphia 76ers marriage. The overall results have been poor for the team and George's stats haven't lived up to the contract. However, he's been a really strong first-basket scorer.
Brooklyn provides a very advantageous matchup for George. They've allowed more first scores to forwards than any other position. George is more than happy to take advantage. He picked up a team-leading 13th first-team score on Thursday and will look to add his ninth first basket on Saturday. I'll be backing him in this matchup.
Pick: Paul George (+550)
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets
Since the shocking trade to Los Angeles, Luka Doncic has made two starts with his new team. In both games, Doncic attempted the Lakers’ first field. He managed a first-team score on Wednesday against Charlotte, which was only his sixth of the year in 24 starts, but one of two in Los Angeles. Against Denver on Saturday, I'll be targeting him again.
Denver has given up quite a few first scores to guards this season. In a nationally televised game, Doncic will be hunting for his shot. He hasn't played much this year due to injury and getting the ball in his hands a lot will only help get him back into game shape. The fact Los Angeles seems keen on getting him involved early and often is a positive. All of this leads to a first-basket play for me on Doncic in primetime.
Pick: Luka Doncic (+600)