The New York Knicks will welcome the Indiana Pacers to Madison Square Garden for the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Knicks and Pacers battled in last year’s playoffs during the Eastern Conference’s second round. In that series, the Pacers prevailed in seven games. However, the Knicks weren’t nearly as healthy in that season. They’ve got revenge on their mind, but the Pacers have had more preparation, thanks to seven days of rest.
Who will start the game hot? I’ve added my favorite first-basket wager for tonight’s game below.
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.
Wednesday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets: Pacers vs. Knicks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel 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.
Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks First Basket Scorers
In all three regular-season games between the Knicks and Pacers, Karl-Anthony Towns beat Myles Turner for possession to start the game. In the regular season, Myles Turner only won the tip in 43% of games, and the Pacers scored first in just 44% of games.
Both teams struggled to score first consistently, but the Knicks were just a little more efficient scoring first during the regular season. At home, the Knicks should have some momentum to start the game.
The Pacers allowed the first basket to point guards and centers 24% of the time each during the regular season. Therefore, we’ll want to attack those two spots.
During the regular season, Jalen Brunson led the Knicks in first baskets with 13 in 77 games started. He scored the team’s first basket in 35% of games and added the team’s first field goal attempt in 43% of games this season.
In addition, Brunson recorded the first basket in 17% of games, which is the highest percentage of any Knicks player this season. If you’re looking for another option, Karl-Anthony Towns scored the first basket in seven of 62 games started. He added the team’s first basket in 27% of games and took the team’s first shot in 27% of games.
Brunson is easily the better option, but Towns has some potential, too.
Pick: Jalen Brunson (+500)
