With 11 games on the NBA schedule, there’s plenty of opportunity in the first basket market. I’m going to share two best bets for tonight’s slate. Let’s lock in!
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Sunday’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.
Orlando Magic vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Wendell Carter Jr. competes for the opening tip with the Orlando Magic and faces Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans. Carter Jr. has won the tip 72% of the time and has helped the Magic score first in 57% of games this season.
Williamson has won the title only 38% of the time, and the Pelicans have scored first only 49% of the time this season.
It’s very likely the Magic will end up with possession first and take the first shot.
Ultimately, the Pelicans have allowed the first basket to small forwards 28% of the time. Point guards have scored first 25% of the time. Those are the positions to attack with the Magic.
Jalen Suggs has eight first baskets in 51 starts this season as a point guard for the Magic. He’s scored the team’s first basket in 22% of games and has taken the team’s first field goal attempt in 25% of games. Let’s roll with Suggs at +750 odds.
Pick: Jalen Suggs (+750)
Phoenix Suns vs. Chicago Bulls
The Suns will roll with Oso Ighodaro with tonight’s opening tip. Ighodaro has won the tip 59% of the time this season. He’ll battle Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls, who has only won the tip in 47% of games this season. The Bulls have scored the first basket 32% of the time, while the Suns have added the first basket in 53% of games this season. That’s the biggest margin between teams on the slate today.
The Bulls have allowed the first basket to power forwards 25% of the time, small forwards 25% of the time, and centers 21% of the time. Stay away from the guards if you’re betting on the first basket market in this game!
Jalen Green has four first baskets in 24 games with the Suns. However, he’s scored the team’s first basket in 42% of games since coming back from injury. He’s also added the team’s first field goal attempt in 29% of games this season. These both lead the Suns. Try Jalen Green at +550 odds.
Pick: Jalen Green (+550)
