Navigate

NBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Thursday (11/5)

by |

We are treated to a small slate with two games this evening. Despite the low volume of contests, there are still 20 options to consider. So, without any further delay, here are a few players that are worth sprinkling a few dollars of your bankroll on to make the first basket for Thursday, November 5.

Check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet to help you find today's best prop bets.

Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>

Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorers

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Orlando Magic at Phoenix Suns

Phoenix will be playing in the second leg of a back-to-back. This could give Magic an early advantage since the Suns will be playing on tired legs. It's also possible that Phoenix could elect to sit some players given the concentrated schedule early on the season. It's for that very reason we are going to focus on a two Orlando Magic players to score the first basket in this contest.

Franz Wagner is the catalyst for Orlando's scoring now, and has shown he is more than capable of handling that role. Wagner is averaging over 21 points through the last three contests, and is coming off of a 10-field-goal performance in the last contest for Orlando.

The Magic will more than likely start this contest in an aggressive manner, and get the ball into the hands of their best scoring option immediately. Wagner has scored the first basket for the Magic in one game this season.

Wendell Carter Jr. leads Orlando with 2-of-7 games of successfully knocking down the first basket. If Wagner doesn't have a clear look at a shot, Carter Jr. is a highly effective both inside the paint, and on the outside. Franz Wagner is the favorite to score the first basket according to the odds. However, Wendell Carter may for a very formidable pivot to a higher return.

Picks: Franz Wagner (+550) & Wendell Carter Jr. (+650)

Miami Heat at Golden State Warriors

Our next contest, which you may or may not consider the main event of the evening is definitely not the easiest to sort out. Things further amplify in difficultly when you factor in Miami went in overtime in a winning effort against the Clippers.

There's no doubt that the Heat will be somewhat affected by the quick turn around. Having said that, Golden State doesn't have a player that is capable of containing Bam Adebayo or Giannis Antetokounmpo should they choose to attack the rim. It's kind of a bail out if we are being candid. Yet, we are going to side with the stars in this contest to score the first basket.

Steph Curry is always going to be a candidate in any contest to strike first. Curry is the heart and soul of the Warriors, and a quick start from the veteran guard usually invigorates the home crowd. Curry is averaging 5.2 points through the first 10 minutes of gameplay. Yaxel Lendeborg is the talk of the town in Golden State at the moment. However, you can't go wrong with arguably the best shooter in the history of the NBA.

As for the Heat, it's Giannis & Bam or bust. Unless one of them sits, then it's probably best to pivot to a long shot in either Andrew Wiggins (+950) or Klay Thompson (+1000). The seven-point spread in favor of Miami is seriously hinting they will sit a player or two from the starting lineup. So that's definitely a situation to monitor throughout the day.

Adebayo & Antetokounmpo have each scored the first basket in three games this season, tied for most in the NBA. As previously stated, Golden State is criminally devoid of an option to stop Giannis or Bam down low. This is especially true if Antetokounmpo gets any kind of leverage from running downhill. Golden State will more than likely have to make a business decision early on to either double Giannis, and leave Bam to devour someone down low or provide help down low, and have Antetokounmpo attack the rim from the weak side.

Picks:Steph Curry (+750), Giannis Antetokounmpo (+320) & Bam Adebayo (+500)

Try Premium for FREE in our mobile app

BettingPros App