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NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (5/10)

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Although the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers lead their respective series 3-1, both home and trailing teams are favorites.

The Knicks are sitting at -3.5 at home against the Heat, while the Warriors are -7 against the Lakers. If both home teams win, we’ll see Game 6’s for Friday’s slate.

It’s been a wild Playoffs so far with a lot of unexpected outcomes.

Here are some first-basket props to try tonight in the NBA.

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Wednesday’s Best First Basket Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat

The New York Knicks have won the tip in 57% of games this year. Meanwhile, the Heat have only won the tip in 48% of games. The Heat have started to play in a different gear in the Playoffs, but that likely won’t stop the Knicks from at least winning the tip.

In Game 4, the Knicks won the tip, but Julius Randle committed an offensive foul. Later in the first quarter, Jimmy Butler secured the first basket.

But again, the Knicks have scored 10 more first baskets than the Heat this year and have attempted four more first baskets than Miami. The Knicks have a higher probability of starting the game with the ball.

The whole Knicks fanbase is down on Julius Randle for his effort. I’m not sure he’ll ever recover from the hate with the fanbase. So if it’s not Randle starting the game off hot, it’ll be Jalen Brunson. Brunson has attempted 15 first shots and 12 first baskets this season for the Knicks. He also has a first basket earlier in this series.

Bet: Jalen Brunson (+490)

Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Warriors’ dynasty is in jeopardy tonight. Of course, it’s LeBron James pushing the defending champs to the brink.

The Lakers have won the tip in 59% of games this year and have attempted the first shot in 56% of games. However, despite earning fewer tips and attempting fewer shots, the Warriors have scored more first baskets than the Lakers this season.

The Lakers have just 44 first baskets despite winning the tip in 53 games. Meanwhile, the Warriors have nailed 58% of first baskets while winning the tip in 51% of games.

It’s rarely Steph Curry scoring the first basket. It’s mainly Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins scoring to begin the game. But Thompson hasn’t been himself over the last couple of games. He’s been hanging out in the corner or standing 30 feet away for a lot of the last couple of games.

So I’ll try my luck with Wiggins at +650 to score the first basket. He’s made 10 first baskets for the Warriors this season.

Bet: Andrew Wiggins (+650)

Check out our other best bets for Wednesday:

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


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