Nine games are on the NBA schedule this evening. It's a stronger slate, so there are plenty of options to consider. Here are a few players worth sprinkling a few dollars on in the NBA first basket scorers market for Monday, October 26th.
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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorers
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Who scores first in today’s NBA slate? We compare historical first-basket stats to prop bet odds to help identify today’s best bets. View first-basket odds across sportsbooks here.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley is the favorite to score the first basket in this contest. With Mobley having to face Jaden McDaniels, that's a matchup we don't mind investing a few dollars in. Mobley has a clear height advantage over McDaniels, so it wouldn't surprise us to see Cleveland exploit it on their first possession.
Mobley scored the first basket in 12 games last season - which was tied for eighth in the NBA. Mobley is one of two players we are heavily leaning on for the Cavaliers.
Jarrett Allen has scored the first basket in both of Cleveland’s two games this season. Despite having the worse matchups, Allen has been the first look for the Cavaliers. It's a tough call between the two. However, Allen has the success rate and the extra profit to move the needle.
Picks: Evan Mobley (+500) & Jarrett Allen (+550)
Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat
Next is another favorite that, simply put, is purely based on logic. The +310 odds represent our lowest return for the night. That said, it also shows how confident the sportsbooks are that Giannis Antetokounmpo will score the first basket in this contest.
Miami is winless through three games played and desperately needs to get the ball in the hands of their most lethal scorer from the start. Dallas doesn't have a player who can match Antetokounmpo’s physicality and strength. A quick basket for the Heat forward is highly within the realm of possibilities. Antetokounmpo has scored the first basket in one of Miami’s three games this season.
Picks: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+310)
Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks
The next selection is where we hope to hit an elite-level profit (+700). Indiana is coming off a back-to-back on the road. This gives Milwaukee a slight advantage, as the Pacers may be a bit sluggish for a few possessions. Tyler Herro leads Milwaukee in scoring with 23.7 points per game and is coming off a rough performance against Philadelphia (13 points).
Herro could get things going right from the start by attacking the rim or hitting an open three-pointer. Milwaukee's offense is extremely concentrated, and Herro is their primary scoring option. The Bucks have yet to win a game this season (0-3), and will most likely look to Herro to kickstart the offense.
Pick: Tyler Herro (+700)
Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets
Our last selection is a bit of a long shot. That said, there is something a bit peculiar about the return. Aaron Gordon is being priced as high as a first scoring option, yet is the third option on Denver. Gordon has scored the first basket in one out of two contests this season, but only scored seven points in the last contest.
Yaxel Lendeborg or Draymond Green will likely guard Gordon after the opening tip. Gordon can score on either player. However, the odds increase if Green has to keep up with Gordon's athleticism. Denver should look to Gordon early after his performance in their last contest. The Nuggets forward is in a great spot to sink the first field goal in this contest.
Pick: Aaron Gordon (+700)
