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

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The Boston Celtics are currently down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat. Before Game 4, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown acknowledged that the Heat can’t let them get one. However, the Heat allowed the Celtics to get one. Boston’s headed back home to potentially get within one game of the Heat in the ECF.

The Celtics are major favorites for tonight’s game. Things are getting interesting.

I’m looking at the first-basket market for tonight’s Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have been better at scoring first this season. The Celtics have won the tip in 51% of games and scored the first basket in 47%. They’ve even attempted the first shot in 58% of games.

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have only earned the tip on 47% of games. The Heat have also scored just 39% of first baskets and have attempted the first shot in 48% of games.

The Celtics hold the advantage in every area. Boston has played the Heat in eight games this season. Boston has won the tip in five of those eight games. The Celtics have also scored first in six of those eight games. Only Marcus Smart has scored first multiple times for the Celtics.

Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Al Horford have a first basket made against the Celtics too.

Tatum has only attempted the first shot in 10 games this season. On the other hand, Jaylen Brown has taken 25 first shots this season. He’s been extremely inconsistent and has only scored 11 first baskets. Tatum has 12 first baskets, despite only taking ten first-shot attempts.

But there’s a high probability that Brown will take the first shot. He’s usually the go-to guy early for the Celtics. Tatum is sitting at +350, while Brown is +500 to score first. But Brown is way more aggressive early on than Tatum. I’d rather select the guy who will likely take the first shot.

That’s Jaylen Brown.

Bet: Jaylen Brown (+500) 

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


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