NBA Play-In Game First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/12)
We’ve got two more NBA Play-In games on the horizon tonight. Last night’s games were exciting. But the losers of last night will be watching tonight’s games.
The winner of Raptors vs. Bulls will face the Miami Heat for the final spot in the East. Meanwhile, the Thunder or Pelicans will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves for the eighth seed in the West.
I will be looking at the first scorers for tonight’s games. If we hit one, we’ll hit profit for the night.
Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>
Wednesday’s Best First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors
The Bulls have Raptors have already played three times this season. The Raptors have won the tip in all three games and have scored the first basket in all three games. Let’s follow that trend.
The Bulls have only won the tip in 29% of games this season and have only attempted the first shot in 40% of games. Meanwhile, the Raptors have won the tip in 46% of games and have attempted the first shot in 48% of games.
The main contributor for first baskets is usually Pascal Siakam. He’s added 13 first baskets and 11 first shots this season for Toronto. But it’s been a different player all three times against the Bulls.
This season, Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby have been the first-basket scorers against the Bulls. I think the Raptors will want to get Pascal Siakam going early in a Play-In game. After all, he’s their leading scorer and usual suspect when looking to score first.
Bet: Pascal Siakam (+480)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Thunder are just as bad at earning tips as the Bulls are. Oklahoma City has only won the tip in 28% of games this season. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have won the tip in 51% of games. New Orleans has also added the first shot in 56% of games, while the Thunder have taken the first shot in only 39%.
The Pelicans have a clear advantage when it comes to the first basket.
Jonas Valanciunas has scored 18 of the team’s 48 first baskets this season. Brandon Ingram has scored 14 of the team’s 48 first baskets. Therefore, 32 of New Orleans’ 48 first baskets came from Valanciunas and Ingram.
That means nearly 67% of the time, Valanciunas or Ingram get the first basket. Let’s get a little risky and take both to score first. Again, if one of them scores, we’ll be profitable.
Bet: Jonas Valanciunas (+410)
Bet: Brandon Ingram (+440)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts