The final two NBA Playoff spots are up for grabs tonight! Which teams will get off to hot starts and score first?
I’ve got some educated guesses and made two first basket wagers for tonight’s games. Check it out below.
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.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
Wendell Carter Jr. will compete against Moussa Diabate for tonight’s tip-off. Carter Jr has won the tip 73% of the time, while Diabate has nailed the opening tip in only 38% of games. Plus, Carter Jr. has already won the tip against Diabate twice this season.
The Magic have scored first 57% of the time. The Hornets have added the first basket in just 51% of games. It’s very likely the Magic win the opening tip and get the first shot off.
That said, Charlotte has allowed the first basket to every position at least 18% of the time. There’s no position that is a clear favorite to score first.
Still, Carter Jr. has scored first in 13 games this season. He’s also taken the team’s first field goal in 27% of games this year. I’ll back Carter Jr. to score first in tonight’s game.
Pick: Wendell Carter Jr. (+700)
Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns
It’s always a good idea to bet against Draymond Green on the opening tip. Green has won the tip in just 28% of attempts this season. As a result, the Warriors have scored first only 49% of the time.
Tonight, he’ll battle Phoenix’s Mark Williams, who has added the opening tip in 78% of games. That’s a huge difference between the two. Plus, the Suns have scored first in 54% of games this season. Williams has an opening tip win over Green earlier this year, too.
This season, the Warriors have allowed the first basket to point guards 31% of the time.
Phoenix will start Devin Booker at the point tonight. He’s scored the most first baskets for Phoenix this season with nine. Booker has also scored the team’s first basket in 23% of games and has attempted the team’s first field goal in 19% of games. These aren’t elite numbers, but Booker still stands out with a solid matchup against the Warriors.
Pick: Devin Booker (+500)
