After an exciting night of NBA Play-In Tournament basketball last night, we’ve got another two games on the slate tonight. Here are some NBA first basket scorers to consider for the two games today.
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Wednesday’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.
Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers
It’ll be Wendell Carter Jr. for the Orlando Magic tonight on the tip. He’s won 73% of his opening tips this year and has helped the Magic score first 57% of the time. In fact, he’s already earned an opening tip win over Philadelphia’s Adem Bona earlier this season. Bona has won the tip only 39% of the time this season.
It’s likely the Magic start with the first possession and take the first shot. The 76ers have allowed the first basket to point guards 26% of the time this season.
The Magic will start Jalen Suggs at point guard for tonight’s game. Suggs has scored eight first baskets this season and has attempted the team’s first basket in 25% of games this season. Let’s ride with Suggs to score first at +900 odds.
Pick: Jalen Suggs (+900)
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers will have Brook Lopez under center for tonight’s opening tip against the Golden State Warriors. He’s won the tip in 55% of games, but the Clippers have still only scored first 48% of the time this season.
Meanwhile, Draymond Green has won the tip in only 28% of games this season. The Warriors have done slightly better, scoring first 49% of the time, but it’s still more likely that the Clippers start with possession and take the first shot.
The Warriors have allowed the first basket to point guards 31% of the time and power forwards 29% of the time.
Derrick Jones Jr. of the Clippers has scored nine first baskets this season. He’s also added the team’s first basket in 24% of starts this season. At power forward, take a chance with Derrick Jones Jr. to score first tonight.
Pick: Derrick Jones Jr. (+1000)
