NBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Friday (5/15)
We’ve got a two-game slate on the horizon tonight in the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to finish off the Detroit Pistons at home. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves will try to force a Game 7 against the San Antonio Spurs. Who will get off to a hot start? I’ve added first basket scorers for both games 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.
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Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorers & Picks
(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.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
In Game 5, Jalen Duren won the opening tip, and Daniss Jenkins hit a three-point shot to score the first basket. However, Jarrett Allen and the Cavaliers have still won the opening tip more times in this series.
Additionally, the Cavaliers scored first 61% of the time in the regular season. They scored first at one of the highest rates in the NBA throughout the year. At home, the Cavaliers have the advantage tonight. They’re more likely to win the opening tip and take the first shot.
The Pistons allowed the first basket to small forwards 26% of the time during the regular season. However, the Cavaliers are star-heavy at every position but small forward. Evan Mobley scored the most first baskets in the regular season for the Cavaliers and is currently +500 to score the first basket tonight. I’m sticking with Mobley.
Pick: Evan Mobley (+500)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs have scored the first basket in every game of this series. Victor Wembanyama has scored the first basket in four of those games. However, De’Aaron Fox joined the party in Game 5 and scored the first basket.
This is really no surprise. Wembanyama won the opening tip 91% of the time during the regular season. Literally nine times out of 10. There’s a better chance the Spurs score first every game.
Wembanyama is currently +320 to score first for the fifth time in this series. The value isn’t really there anymore. Fox scored first in Game 5, and I think another guard could be in position to score first in Game 6.
Minnesota allowed the first basket to shooting guards 36% of the time in the regular season, and Stephon Castle is currently +850 to score first. That’s where the value is.
Pick: Stephon Castle (+800)