We’ve got two more playoff games on the horizon today. In both series playing today, the home team has won every game. Could that change where the road team finally gets a win?
Getting off to a hot start would help. Here are two first basket wagers to consider for today’s NBA Playoff games.
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
(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
Jarrett Allen has already won both opening tips to begin this Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup. In addition, the Cavaliers have scored first each time.
Ultimately, Jarrett Allen won the opening tip 68% of the time during the regular season for the Cavaliers, while Jalen Duren won the opening tip only 44% of games in the regular season for the Detroit Pistons.
Additionally, the Cavaliers scored the first basket 61% of the time, which was one of the best rates in the NBA. That should carry over, especially at home, in a nearly must-win game for the Cavaliers.
We nailed Evan Mobley to score first in Game 1. Dean Wade scored the first basket in Game 2.
Mobley also assisted with Wade’s field goal. The ball has been in Mobley’s hands both times to begin the game.
Therefore, I’ll ride it out with Evan Mobley for a third consecutive game at +550.
Pick: Evan Mobley (+550)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
In three of four regular-season games, Deandre Ayton won the opening tip against Chet Holmgren. That rate has continued to inflate in the playoffs. Ayton won another opening tip in Game 2 of this series.
Despite Ayton winning the opening tip, the Thunder scored first in Game 2. However, it’s much more likely the Lakers end up with possession and attempt the first shot tonight. Plus, the Thunder allowed the first basket to point guards 33% and allowed centers to score first 25% in the regular season.
It’s been an odd start to the postseason for Reaves, who missed all of the first series due to injury. Still, he makes the most sense, especially at +700 odds.
Pick: Austin Reaves (+700)
