It’s time to hit a longshot bet tonight!
I’ve added multiple first-basket bets for tonight’s NBA slate. I’ll share them below!
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Thursday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics
It looks like the Celtics will send out Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Al Horford, and Jrue Holiday for tonight’s game. Boston has been banged up and still doesn’t have Kristaps Porzingis back. But it seems like the rest of the starting lineup will play tonight.
The Celtics have only allowed the first basket in 37% of games this season, while the Suns have allowed the first basket in 51% of games this year.
Boston has ultimately won the tip in 72% of games this season and has scored the first field goal in 63% of games. The Celtics have even attempted the first field goal in 66% of matchups this year.
On the other hand, the Suns are tied with the Celtics for tip-win percentage. The only issue is that the Suns have still scored the first field goal only 49% of the time despite shooting the first field goal in 66% of games this season.
Phoenix isn’t consistent from the field regarding beginning games like the Celtics. Even if the Suns find a way to win the tip, the Celtics could still get a stop and then score.
The Suns have allowed the most first baskets to power forwards this year. 24% of first baskets made against the Suns come from that position.
That’s ultimately Jayson Tatum’s position. He’ll be the small forward for the Celtics tonight. Let’s back Tatum at +600 to score first.
Bet: Jayson Tatum (+600)
New York Knicks vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have allowed the first basket in 63% of games this season, while the New York Knicks have given up the first basket in only 49% of games.
Throughout the season, Portland has struggled to win the tip. They’ve won the tip in just 41% of games and have scored the first field goal in only 38% of matchups this season. In addition, the Blazers have only added the game’s first field goal attempt in 41% of games.
The Knicks aren’t elite at winning the tip. They’ve only won it 45% of the time, but they have at least scored the first field goal in 51% of games and attempted the game’s first field goal in 52% of games.
New York still has the advantage here.
Portland has watched the center score the first basket in 33% of games, and the point guard adds the first basket in 20% of games. Those are the two positions we’ll be targeting on the Knicks.
Jalen Brunson’s odds are at +550, and Isaiah Hartenstein’s are at +700. According to the oddsmakers, those two Knicks have the best probability of scoring first. I certainly agree. That said, we’ll take a chance on Brunson here.
Bet: Jalen Brunson (+550)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
- NHL Prop Betting Cheat Sheet
- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions
- College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions
- NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions
