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NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Friday (5/12)

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Friday gives us two Playoff Game 6’s. At this point, we’ve gotten a lot of data points in these series, specifically when it comes to First Basket. I’ll go through each game and give you my favorite First Basket plays from the Friday slate.

Season to Date: 18-64-5, +3.52 units

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Friday’s Best First Basket Scorer Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

New York Knicks at Miami Heat

Once again, Miami will have an opportunity to cement a spot in a second consecutive Eastern Conference Finals and third in four years. New York, once again, stands in the way as they try to force a Game 7 back in New York. 

Mitchell Robinson was an excellent jump ball winner during the year and has won three of five opening tips in this series. Given this advantage, I like the Knicks to score first in this game. There are two separate players that I am targeting.

The first play is Julius Randle. I’ve gone with him a few times in this series, but he’s yet actually to cash one. However, he’s taken the first Knick field goal attempt in two of the four games he’s played in this series. He was the leading scorer for the Knicks on the season, and this includes leading in First Baskets. He has a solid matchup with Miami, who gives up nearly 22% of their first field goals to power forwards. I’m going to play Randle again to score that First Basket finally.

Another play I like is RJ Barrett. Like Randle, he’s attempted the first Knick field goal in two of the last four games and attempted one of the first three Knick field goals in three of four games. Like Randle, Barrett has a really good matchup as Miami gives up an almost identical amount of first field goals to opposing shooting guards. The Knicks are going to come out swinging once again with the season on the line. I like either Randle or Barrett to score the First Basket.

Pick: 0.25u on Julius Randle (+500) & 0.25u on RJ Barrett (+650)

Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers get another opportunity to knock out the defending champions on Friday night in Los Angeles. Throughout the season, the Warriors have been putrid on the road, which has carried over into this series. Given this and the fact that Anthony Davis has won the last four opening tips, I’m targeting the Lakers once again for the First Basket.

Who better to feed early in the game than your big man? Anthony Davis has scored back-to-back First Baskets in this series. There is some concern about Davis’s availability in this game, but all the news coming from the Lakers has indicated he is fine and should play. I’ve noted before that Golden State has given up almost 30% of their first field goals to opposing centers. If Davis is healthy and ready to go, he’s a really solid bet for the First Basket.

Pick: 0.25u on Anthony Davis (+420)

Check out our other best bets for Friday:


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