NBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Spurs vs. Thunder (Monday)
We’re headed to the Western Conference Finals for an exciting matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. This is another series that can go seven games. Who will start the game with a bucket? I’ve added my top NBA first basket scorers for the night.
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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Monday’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.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
It’s usually a bad idea to bet against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Wembanyama earned the first basket in 91% of opening tips during the regular season. He has been just as consistent in the playoffs so far. Wembanyama already earned an opening tip win over Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this year.
Holmgren has good numbers, too. He won the opening tip in 54% of regular-season games, and the Thunder actually scored first more times than the Spurs in the regular season. Still, Wembanyama and the Spurs should gain possession first and take the first shot.
The Thunder allowed the first basket to point guards 33% of the time this season. They also gave up the first basket to centers 25% of the time. While I’d love to take De’Aaron Fox, he is questionable to play tonight. Wembanyama has been killing it in the playoffs when it comes to first baskets. Let’s stick with him at +360 odds to score first.
Pick: Victor Wembanyama (+360)