Let the games begin. We’ve got four Game 1 matchups in the NBA’s first round of the postseason. I’ve added two NBA first basket scorers for today’s games. Let’s get right to it.
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.
Saturday’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.
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks will compete against Onyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks for tonight’s opening tip. Towns and Okongwu have each won the opening tip less than 45% of the time. However, the Knicks have scored the first basket in 59% of games this season, while the Hawks have done so in 48% of games.
The Knicks are more consistent in this market and have a better chance at scoring first.
Atlanta has allowed the first basket to centers 30% of the time this season. Towns could win the opening tip and be the first scorer for the Knicks. He’s scored eight first baskets for the Knicks this season and has attempted the team’s first field goal in 20% of games this year. Take a chance on Towns.
Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns (+550)
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to have Deandre Ayton as the opening tip-off man tonight. He’ll take on Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets, who has won the opening tip in only 38% of games this season. Ayton has won the opening tip in 67% of games.
Those two split the season series in opening tips. If the data plays out correctly, Ayton should win the third opening tip against Sengun and the Rockets.
Houston has allowed the first basket to small forwards 30% of the time this season.
Rui Hachimura will likely be slotted in as the starting small forward. He might have only three first baskets in 41 starts, but he’s attempted the team’s first field goal in 24% of games this season. For comparison, LeBron James has taken the team’s first basket in only 12% of games this season.
Go with Hachimura to score first tonight.
Pick: Rui Hachimura (+850)
