Navigate

NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Friday (4/28)

by |

Friday provides two Game 6’s. Both home teams have an opportunity to clinch the series and both will look to get off to an early start with a First Basket. Let’s take a look at both games to see my favorite plays for the night.

Season to Date: 17-52-5, +5.47 units

Friday’s Best First Basket Scorer Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors

The Warriors have an opportunity to eliminate the Kings but like has happened in four of five games. They may be starting from behind. The Kings have had the advantage when it comes to First Baskets, regardless of losing three of five opening tips. I went with this player on Wednesday, and although he didn’t cash for us, I am going back to the well again.

Domantas Sabonis has been strong this series, scoring three First Baskets. One reason he’s been successful with this prop is he has been getting a lot of attempts early. He’s had five First Three Field Goals in the five games of the series. With consistent attempts, he’s a strong play.

The matchup with Golden State is also one in which Sabonis has an edge. The Warriors have given up nearly 30% of their opponent first field goals to centers. This is why Sabonis has had such success in this series, and I like him to get the party started and score another First Basket in Game 6.

Pick: 0.25u on Domantas Sabonis (+500)

Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers

The stars will be out in Hollywood for a huge Game 6 matchup between the Grizzlies and Lakers. It is imperative for both of these teams to get off to a strong start, and there is no better way than to score the First Basket. Both the Grizzlies and Lakers have been splitting opening tip wins as well as First Basket wins, so I’m looking at one player from each team.

For Memphis, I’m focusing on Desmond Bane. He cashed this prop in Game 5, and it was about time. Bane has attempted the first or second field goal for Memphis in each game this series. He’s averaging 1.2 of the first three field goal attempts for Memphis in the series. The Grizzlies will look to his shooting to help make the difference in this one and force a Game 7 back in Memphis. He’s a strong play in this matchup.

When it comes to the Lakers, there is one clear choice. LeBron has struggled from deep in this series, but he’s still scoring inside the arc and doing so early. He cashed the First Basket in both Game 2 and Game 3, and being the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, he’s always a threat for First Basket. Given his success so far in this series, he’s a strong bet to score another First Basket in Game 6.

Pick: 0.25u on Desmond Bane (+800) & 0.25u on LeBron James (+490)

Check out our other best bets for Friday:

Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>


Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts