NBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Saturday (3/28)
We’ve got a six-game slate in the NBA today. The action begins at 3:00 pm ET between the Spurs and Bucks on Prime Video. There’s also a 5:30 p.m. ET game between the Pistons and Timberwolves on ABC. The Jazz and Suns will play the later game on NBA TV at 10:00 pm ET. There are plenty of outlets to watch the games tonight.
Therefore, I’ve added the first two basket bets you’ll want to consider.
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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Saturday's Best NBA First Basket Scorers Picks & Bets
(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.
Sacramento Kings vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Kings will use Maxime Raynaud for the opening tip tonight. He’s won the tip in 63% of starts this season and has helped the Kings score first 50% of the time this season. On the other hand, Onyeka Okongwu will be the tip-man for the Hawks. He’s only won the tip in 45% of games this season. In addition, the Hawks have scored first only 46% of the time this year.
The Kings have been bad this season. However, they’re still in line to score the first basket in tonight’s game.
That said, the Hawks have allowed the first basket to centers 28% of the time and point guards 23% of the time. Raynaud has added the first basket six times and has attempted the team’s first field goal in 21% of games this season. He’s also scored the first basket in 19% of starts this year for the Kings. We’ll give Raynaud a chance at +550 odds.
Pick: Maxime Raynaud (+550)
Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns
The Utah Jazz will roll with Kyle Filipowski for tonight’s tip. He’ll take on Oso Ighodoro of the Suns, who has been much more efficient in opening tips. Ighodoro has won the tip in 61% of games, while Filipowski has won the tip in just 38% of games.
The Jazz have scored the first basket 57% of the time this season, but typically don’t start with the ball when Filipowski is the tip-man. The Suns have scored the first basket in 55% of games and usually have the ball when Ighodoro is the tip-man.
It’s more likely the Suns end up with possession first and attempt the first shot.
The Jazz have allowed the first basket to small forwards 31% of the time and centers 25% of the time. Those are the two positions to attack.
Jalen Green has attempted the team’s first field goal in 30% of starts and scored the team’s first basket in 40% of games as the Suns’ small forwards. This is a great value play for Green at +600 odds.
Pick: Jalen Green (+600)