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NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Picks & Predictions: Sunday (3/12)

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First baskets are always fun because it’s a big payoff if you hit them. Let’s see who is grabbing the first score on today’s slate.

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

Sunday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Nikola Jokic vs. Brooklyn Nets (+280)

The landscape of the Nets completely changed when they traded Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at the deadline. Brooklyn’s new squad did not start well after those trades, but now they’ve won four of five.

The Nuggets have a cushion on top of the Western Conference during the final stretch of the regular season. This is because of the reigning two-time MVP, Nikola Jokic. He’s making the case to be the first three-peat MVP in nearly 40 years as he averages a triple-double.

The Nuggets have been on a great run of grabbing the first basket with seven of their last ten, while the Nets have just four. Jokic, by far, leads the team in first baskets and has four of the previous ten.

Donovan Mitchell (+470) vs. Charlotte Hornets

After a great beginning to February, Cleveland has won just four of their last nine games. They are starting to drop in the Eastern Conference standings, right now, they have a healthy plant with the fourth seed, but if they continue to lose, they could fall further.

The Hornets will not be in the postseason, but this is playing much better in the last few weeks. They have won seven of their previous 11, including against Minnesota, New York, Miami, and Atlanta.

The Cavs are one of the better teams in tip wins and first baskets this season, while the Hornets are in the bottom half. Donovan Mitchell has the sixth-most first baskets this season, including three of the last ten for the Cavs.

Jonas Valanciunas vs. Portland Trail Blazers (+500)

It’s been a disappointing year for the Pelicans. They had a tremendous start to the season with their entire roster, but as the injuries accumulated, they struggled. They are 6-17 in their last 23 games, and Zion Williamson may not play for the rest of the season.

The same could be said about the Trail Blazers. Even with Damian Lillard averaging 32 points per game, they are still 13th in the west and fighting to get into the play-in tournament.

The Pelicans hold a significant advantage in both tip wins and first baskets. Jonas Valanciunas is second on the team in first baskets behind Brandon Ingram, who is out for this game.

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