The 2024-25 NBA season tips off tonight with a pair of games on the schedule. The defending champion Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks while the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Los Angeles Lakers. What better way to start the season than betting on NBA First Basket scorers?!
If you want some quick and easy action on props with bigger payouts, NBA First Basket bets are the way to go. Let's try to find some winners for both games on Tuesday night. Note that all betting lines are accurate as of this writing, but shop around for the best odds. Enjoy these NBA First Basket picks and predictions for tonight's game: Knicks vs. Celtics.
Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>
Tuesday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorers: Knicks vs. Celtics
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Knicks vs. Celtics
The Knicks acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns earlier this month was arguably the biggest trade this offseason. It was a huge move for a team that now boasts one of the best starting lineups in the league. New York is a top Eastern Conference contender and should be amped up for tonight’s season opener against the defending champion Celtics.
With that in mind, let's count on the Knicks to get Towns involved right away offensively. Towns won the tip in four preseason games with his new team and took the first shot in two contests. He also led the Knicks in total field-goal attempts in all three preseason games where he logged starter-level minutes. New York clearly wants their new big man to be a main offensive weapon and there's a good chance he gets the first look tonight.
Towns should have a matchup advantage against Celtics center Al Horford. If he wins the tip against Horford, we should see Towns get the ball on the first possession for either a post-up or a three-point attempt. This is great value, considering Towns has the second-longest odds to be the first basket scorer for New York (behind Jalen Brunson) and fourth-longest among both teams.
Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns (+750)
