We’ve got two NBA games on the slate tonight. The New York Knicks will look to build on a 1-0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers. At the same time, the Minnesota Timberwolves will try to earn another road victory to start their second-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. Here are some NBA first basket scorers to consider for tonight after we hit on Evan Mobley last night at +600.
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.
- More NBA Betting Advice
- Player Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- First Basket Cheat Sheet
- Prop Bet Analyzer
- Best +EV NBA Props
Wednesday’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.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns and Joel Embiid each won the opening tip 43% of the time in the regular season. The difference is that the Knicks scored the first basket 59% of the time this season, while the 76ers added the first basket in only 49% of games.
The percentages worked out in Game 1 after the Knicks scored first, despite the 76ers winning the opening tip.
We took Jalen Brunson in Game 1 to score first, since the 76ers allowed the point guard to score the first basket in 26% of regular-season games. Of course, Brunson led the Knicks in first baskets in the regular season and took the team’s first field goal attempt in 29% of games.
Let’s try Brunson again in Game 2. He’s coming off a phenomenal Game 1 and has momentum.
Pick: Jalen Brunson (+500)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs
You never want to go against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in the first basket market. He won the opening tip in 91% of starts this season. However, Rudy Gobert of the Timberwolves was able to earn the opening tip in Game 1 of this series.
Still, the Spurs scored first after a crazy back-and-forth for a minute and a half without scoring.
I’m still going to roll with Wembanyama and the Spurs to gain possession first and take the first shot.
The Timberwolves allowed shooting guards to score first 36% of the time this season. Stephon Castle will eventually have a chance. Why not in Game 2?
Pick: Stephon Castle (+800)
