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NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Picks & Predictions: Friday (3/17)

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All eyes will be on college basketball Friday night, but the NBA is still in full swing. Let’s take a look and see if we can get lucky and stay hot with some First Basket plays on St. Patrick’s Day.

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Friday:

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Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets

Season to Date: 8-23-3, +3.53 units

Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte Hornets

As long as Joel Embiid is in the lineup these days, he’s worth a look for First Basket. He’s making a strong push for MVP down the stretch and stuffing the stat sheet. In addition, he has scored the first field goal for Philadelphia in 27 of the 55 games he’s started, scoring the game’s first field goal in 17.

I’m not just playing Embiid here because scores First Baskets a lot. This is also a pretty great matchup against Charlotte. After moving Mason Plumlee at the trade deadline, Charlotte has been trying a bunch of young players at the center position, none of which are going to be capable of containing Embiid.

On the season, Charlotte has allowed over one-quarter of their opponents’ first field goals to opposing centers. Against the best scoring center in the league, I expect that trend to continue.

Pick: 0.25u on Joel Embiid (+270)

Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs

Memphis continues to be one of the best teams in the league at scoring First Baskets. They’ll take on a Spurs team Friday night that doesn’t provide much resistance as far as defense goes. There is good reason to target Memphis players in this matchup.

One player I like in particular is Xavier Tillman. He’s started quite a bit next to Jaren Jackson since Steven Adams has been out of the lineup. During that time, he’s thrived in early-game situations. In his 17 starts on the year, he’s scored eight first-team field goals, and six were good enough for a First Basket. 

San Antonio provides a good matchup as well, as they give up over a quarter of their opponent’s first field goals to opposing centers. I’m going to ride the hot hand with a strong matchup and take Tillman here.

Pick: 0.25u on Xavier Tillman (+650)

Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls

Both of these clubs are fighting to make the playoffs late in the season, but Minnesota has been having some more success. I also like them to have success in scoring a First Basket in this matchup. One player in particular that I’m targeting is an old favorite, Anthony Edwards.

In trading away D’Angelo Russell, Minnesota made the commitment to Edwards being the leader of the offense. In doing so, he’s become a more attractive First Basket play as well. Recently, Edwards is getting the bulk of early shot attempts for Minnesota, and it has turned in First Basket cashes, leading the team in first field goals and First Baskets.

The matchup with Chicago is favorable as well. Chicago gives up over 20% of their opponent’s first field goals to shooting guards. Edwards is a stronger scorer than most shooting guards in the league, so this is a perfect opportunity to cash another First Basket.

Pick: 0.25u on Anthony Edwards (+390)

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