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Raptors vs. Cavaliers: NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions (Monday)

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With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, we can focus again on making money with some first-basket bets. There is a loaded slate tonight which means plenty of options. When identifying the first basket options, many factors come into play. I do my best to identify the best value options that actually have a chance of cashing. Keep in mind there are some long odds here, so you won’t cash too often. But in the long run, it should be a positive expected value.

Here are my favorite first-basket options for tonight’s slate. And let’s take a closer look at my pick for Raptors vs. Cavaliers.

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

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NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Raptors vs. Cavaliers

Fred VanVleet (+600)
Looking at first-basket data, a Toronto Raptors player is the choice for scoring first.

Cleveland scores successfully just 42 percent of the time when winning the opening tip this season. Toronto on the other hand has been successful at scoring first about 61 percent of the time.  

A guard has scored 50 percent of first baskets for Toronto this year, with Cleveland allowing guards to score first at a relatively high rate, so I feel solid about VanFleet tonight. Again, he sits at a good value with +600, and the statistics help his case.

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All opening tip and first basket data courtesy of NBA First Basket (@NBAFirstBasket)