NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorer Predictions: Friday (Rockets vs. Warriors)
Houston and Golden State will square off in a crucial Game 6 in San Francisco. There should be plenty of action in the game. Here are a few first-basket plays to get the NBA night started right.
Friday’s Best NBA Playoff First Basket Scorer Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
Draymond Green has gotten the better of Alperen Sengun on opening tips this series, winning three out of five. On the season, Green has won the tip in four out of seven matchups. Although Green has been better in these matchups, there is no clear edge.
Sengun was the top first-basket getter during the regular season. He cashed this prop 18 times during the regular season, around one out of every four games he started. Houston likes to go to him early in games to get his offensive flow going. We've already seen him attempt one of the first few shots in four of the five games.
He's managed only one first basket so far this series, but Golden State gave up nearly half of their first scores to opposing bigs on the year. I don't expect things to be too different, and with the books pricing him as the favorite, they don't either.
My other pick is a bit of a longshot. Houston also likes to give up first scores to bigs. Over 30% of their games this season saw the opposing center score first for their squad. We've seen that on display in this series, too.
Golden State doesn't play a traditional center, but they've often looked Green's way early in games. Green cashed the first basket in Game 5. Can lightning strike twice? There's reason to think it might.
Green has attempted Golden State's first shot in three out of five games this series. He's made two, although only one secured this prop. Golden State likes that matchup early, and they're finding success. Steve Kerr is too savvy a coach to escape what's working.
Picks: Alperen Sengun (+475) & Draymond Green (+1100)