Celtics vs. Knicks NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorers (Monday)
There are two incredibly important Game 4 matchups in the second round of the NBA playoffs tonight. Every team will want to start strong. Here’s our to NBA first basket scorers predictions for Celtics vs. Knicks.
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.
Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Bets: Celtics 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.
Celtics vs. Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks have won the tip in two of the first three games of this series. Originally, Kristaps Porzingis was the tip-off man for the Celtics. However, Al Horford has taken over the starting role and has been the center for the Celtics. Horford won the tip in 59% of games started, and the Celtics ultimately scored first in 62% of games this season.
Meanwhile, the Knicks scored first only 46% of the time this year.
The Celtics have been the better team in this series, despite being down 2-1. Boston has led the Knicks by at least 20 points in every game. The Knicks aren’t starting games strong and must fight back. It’s way more likely the Celtics score first in this game.
That said, the Knicks have allowed the first basket to small forwards 32% of the time and point guards 25% of the time. We’ll want to target those two positions tonight.
Jaylen Brown has scored a team-high 14 first baskets and has added the team’s first basket in 30% of games this season. He’s also attempted the Celtics’ first field goal in 31% of games this season.
Let’s back Brown to score first.
Pick: Jaylen Brown (+500)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: