After an exciting week of Play-In games, we are finally getting started with the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Saturday brings us four games, and with a whole day of NBA action, there is no better time to make some plays on First Baskets. Here are three of my favorite plays of the day.
Season to Date: 15-42-5, +6.89 units
Saturday’s Best NBA First Basket Scorer Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers
If you've been following my First Basket picks this season, you know where I'm going here. Joel Embiid is likely to be earning the MVP after an incredible season in which he led the league in scoring. He also led the league in First Baskets. I've taken him many times this season, and it has steered us right in many of those instances.
The matchup with Brooklyn is favorable for Embiid as well. The Nets have given up nearly 30% of their first field goals to opposing centers which bodes well here. Obviously, the Nets team we'll see on Saturday isn't the same team we saw all year, but Claxton has been a fixture in the paint, so the matchup is fairly consistent.
In a game that occurred post-trade deadline between these two, Embiid managed to win the tip and score the First Basket. I hate to use the "L-word," but this is a legacy postseason for Embiid. I expect him motivated and ready to make his mark early in this series with a First Basket cash.
Pick: 0.25u on Joel Embiid (+280)
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