NBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Tuesday (10/20)
The NBA season is finally underway today. And we've got three games to consider as we predict NBA first basket scorers.
My picks for the day are below. Make sure to check out our NBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet to help you figure out today’s best prop bets.
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Tuesday's Best NBA First Basket Scorers
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Who scores first in today’s NBA slate? We compare historical first-basket stats to prop bet odds to help identify today’s best bets. View first-basket odds across sportsbooks here.
Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons
Until we have a substantial sample size of the best teams at winning opening tip-offs, I'm going to make my picks based on value and volume. And Cade Cunningham provides both.
Cunningham is a ball-handler who's most likely to at least touch the ball on the Pistons' opening possession. He was also in the top 20 in the NBA in total field-goal attempts last season.
With this game at home, I think the Pistons will feel the energy of the crowd in this season-opening matchup and will start strong. And that will begin with Cunningham scoring the first basket.
Pick: Cade Cunningham (+527)
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks
Speaking of volume and value, my prediction for this game is my favorite of the day.
Jaylen Brown took more shots than anyone last season. And now he's been traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, with a chance to prove he can lead a team other than the Celtics to success. He'll get to do that right away against the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks.
Brown isn't among the top three favorites to score the first points of this game, so I love the value of this one.
Pick: Jaylen Brown (+680)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
It's hard to pick against the Spurs starting strong at home. And it's hard to pick against Victor Wembanyama winning this opening tip-off and ultimately scoring.
But considering he's the favorite to score first, I'm going to go in another direction.
Did you know De'Aaron Fox took only 33 fewer shots than Wembanyama did last season? There's plenty of opportunity for him to score early here. I think he'll end up helping the Spurs grab the first lead.
Pick: De’Aaron Fox (+600)