NBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Thursday (4/9)
We’re getting closer to the postseason. But we’re not there yet. Let’s take advantage of bad teams in the first basket market and bet against them. Here are two NBA first basket scorers to consider for tonight’s slate of 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.
Thursday’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.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Houston Rockets
It looks like Joel Embiid will get the start for the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. He’s only won 43% of his opening tips this season, but the 76ers have still scored first in 48% of games this season.
Embiid has a slightly better track record than his opponent, Alperen Sengun. The Rockets center has won the tip in only 38% of games this season and has already lost to Embiid earlier this year in an opening tip battle.
It’s likely Embiid and the Sixers will gain possession first and take the first shot.
Additionally, the Rockets have allowed the first basket to small forwards 29% of the time. Point guards have scored first 24% of the time against Houston.
Kelly Oubre Jr. will likely start for the 76ers at small forward. He’s scored the first basket in eight games this season. He’s also scored the team’s first basket in 26% of games and attempted the team’s first shot in 24% of games. Let’s back Oubre to score first.
Pick: Kelly Oubre Jr. (+950)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
It’s never a bad idea to bet against Draymond Green in the opening tip. Green has won the opening tip just 29% of the time this season.
He’ll face Deandre Ayton of the Lakers, who has won the tip in 65% of games this year. The Lakers have also scored first in 56% of games, while the Warriors have added the first basket in 48% of games this season.
Ayton and Green have each won an opening tip in head-to-head matchups this season. The law of averages suggests Ayton will win the third one.
The Warriors have allowed the first basket to point guards 32% of the time and power forwards 29% of the time. Those are the positions to pay attention to.
LeBron James has the most first baskets of any Lakers starter tonight. He’ll play power forward for Los Angeles. Ultimately, he’s added the team’s first basket in 26% of starts this season. Let’s ride with James tonight.
Pick: LeBron James (+470)