Timberwolves vs. Lakers NBA Playoffs First Basket Scorers (Tuesday)
The NBA playoffs roll on with three more games on Tuesday night. We have some intriguing matchups on tap, so let’s find some NBA first-basket scorer picks for two of those games.
NBA first-basket bets are quick and easy ways to place wagers with bigger payouts, and you'll know if they cash right away. Check out predictions for the Timberwolves vs. Lakers and the Bucks vs. Pacers Game 2 matchups tonight.
Note that all betting lines are accurate as of writing, but shop around for the best odds. Enjoy these NBA first-basket picks and predictions for Tuesday, April 22’s game Timberwolves vs. Lakers.
Tuesday’s Best NBA Playoffs First Basket Bets: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Timberwolves vs. Lakers
Tuesday's late-night NBA playoffs matchup features Game 2 between the Timberwolves and Lakers. We're looking at an opening tip-off of Jaxson Hayes vs. Rudy Gobert to determine which team will win the first possession and (potentially) score first.
In Game 1, Hayes won the opening tip over Gobert before Los Angeles scored the first six points. Let's count on Hayes besting Gobert again tonight. Since becoming the Lakers ‘ starting center, he has a 66% win rate on tip-offs this season. Minnesota has just a 51.8% win rate on opening tips this year.
After Hayes gives LA the first possession, multiple trends point to him scoring first as well. The Timberwolves allowed opposing bigs (centers and power forwards) to score the first basket in 50% of games this year. Meanwhile, centers scored the Lakers' first basket in 34% of games.
Hayes' 16.4% first shot percentage this season trails only Luka Doncic for the Los Angeles team lead. His 12.5% first baskets per start rate is second to Doncic as well. Since Luka scored first for LA in Game 1, let's bank on the numbers swinging to Hayes' favor for Game 2.
Pick: Jaxson Hayes (+550)