NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Odds & Picks: Friday (4/26)
Three more series will move onto their third game with two split at a game apiece. The playoffs have lived up to the hype so far and should continue to entertain into the weekend. Getting the action early with a first-basket play is a great way to get the slate started. Below are a few of my favorite plays for Friday.
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Friday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers
Both of these teams look to get the series edge with a 2-1 lead. A hot start will be critical for both teams. Milwaukee feels like they let one slip in Game 2 of the series, so I like their chances to get things rolling on Friday night.
Although he hasn't made any moves towards the first basket in either of the first two games of the series, Damian Lillard is my favorite play in this game. Behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lillard has been the best first-basket scorer on the team this season. With Antetokounmpo out of the lineup, Lillard poses the best matchup threat against Indiana as well with the Pacers giving up more opponent first scores against point guards than any other position.
Lillard, although not having cashed one of these in this series, has 11 first baskets this season. When he's scoring first for the Bucks, he's typically scoring first in the game. This is close to a must-win game for a Bucks team that has championship aspirations. I like Dame Time to start early in this one.
Pick: Damian Lillard (+480)
Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks stole a game in Los Angeles and bring the series back to Dallas tied 1-1. Luka Doncic has been great for the Mavericks through two games. He has short odds to score the first basket in Game 3, but I'm going in another direction.
The Clippers have struggled in first baskets all season, well below league average. On the defensive end, there is no position they've struggled more against than centers. Dallas doesn't have the strongest offensive threat at the big man position, but Dereck Lively is a solid first-basket play given the matchup.
Lively hasn't started much since the Mavericks traded for Daniel Gafford. With the big man questionable on Friday, Lively is in line to start. Gafford has had plenty of opportunities already in this series at the center position. The defense for Los Angeles should key in on Doncic, so I expect Lively to get an opportunity set up in Game 3 and make the most of it.
Pick: Dereck Lively (+700)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns
No team needs a win on Friday night more than Phoenix. Avoiding that dreaded 3-0 hole will be the main focus for the Suns, so I expect them to get started early. If you look at the matchups, series results and season first-basket results there is only one play.
Minnesota matches up worst against forwards when it comes to first baskets and no forward is giving them bigger fits in this series than Kevin Durant. Durant has yet to win one of these props this series but he's taken the first shot in both games. Jusuf Nurkic has won the tip in both contests and I like his chances to do so again Friday. If he does, I expect the Suns to go back to Durant.
Durant led the team in first-team scores with 24 on the year. Surprisingly, this has only led to 10 first baskets. With the great matchup and the Suns needing to get off to a hot start, I like Durant to finally pull one off in this series.
Pick: Kevin Durant (+500)