We’ve got a loaded slate today and Sunday before the NBA Postseason gets underway. Let’s enjoy one of the last remaining days of a full slate in the NBA. Here are the first two basketball wagers to consider for tonight after we nailed Kelly Oubre at +950 last night.
Follow along and make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today's best prop bets.
Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorers
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Who will score the first basket in today's NBA games? We compare historical first-basket stats to prop bet odds to help identify today's best bets. View first-basket odds across sportsbooks here.
Orlando Magic vs. Chicago Bulls
The Orlando Magic have scored the first field goal in six of their last ten games. They’ll battle a Chicago Bulls team that has scored first in only four of their last ten games. Ultimately, the Magic have been much more consistent in scoring first. The Bulls are in full tank mode, while the Magic will still be playing come playoff time.
Orlando should gain possession first and take the first shot tonight.
Ultimately, the Bulls have allowed the first basket in 68% of games this season. Power forwards have led the way, scoring first in 24% of games. Small Forwards have also scored first in 24% of games, and centers have added the first basket in 20% of games.
Paolo Banchero has scored the first basket twice in the last ten games and is the primary scorer for the Magic. Let’s take a chance with Banchero at +700 odds.
Pick: Paolo Banchero (+700)
Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards
It usually pays to bet against the Washington Wizards. Not only do they have 17 wins this season, but over the last 10 games, the Wizards have scored first in only 3.
They’ll battle a Heat team that has scored first in five of the last ten games.
Washington has allowed the first basket in 64% of games this season. They’ve also allowed the first basket to centers 37% of the time this season.
That would be Bam Adebayo, who scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards earlier this season.
Adebayo likely has the lowest odds on the slate, sitting at +360. But everything checks out. Try Adebayo as he looks to put together another massive game against the Wizards.
Pick: Bam Adebayo (+360)
