We’ll only see five first-baskets made tonight.
It’s our goal to find at least one of the first-basket scorers on the slate tonight. If we hit one, we’ll earn some profit.
Below, you can read my thoughts about tonight’s first basket market in the NBA.
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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have only won the tip in 38% of games this season. While they’ve added the first field goal in 50% of games, it’s unlikely that the Lakers get possession of the ball first against the Lakers.
The Lakers have earned the tip in 56% of games. They’ve also added the game’s first field goal in 50% of games. However, the Lakers have attempted the first field goal in 56% of games, while the 76ers have only attempted the first field goal in 38% of games.
The Lakers should have the first opportunity to score the first basket tonight.
Los Angeles’ starting five will likely include Anthony Davis, LeBron James, D’Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, and Max Christie. With this lineup, it’s been mostly Davis doing the early work. Davis has taken the team’s first field goal attempt in 33% of games and has the team’s first field goal in 27% of games.
He’s been the most efficient scorer on the Lakers regarding the first basket. Let’s take a chance with Davis again tonight.
Bet: Anthony Davis (+500)
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are among the worst teams at scoring first this season. The Clippers have added only 33% of first-field goals and have earned the tip in only 20% of games this year.
Meanwhile, they’ll face the Denver Nuggets, who have added a tip win in 50% of games. Denver has only scored first in 44% of games this season. However, there’s a higher probability that the Nuggets get the ball first and attempt a shot first.
That’s critical.
Denver still doesn’t have Jamal Murray. Instead, they’ll start Reggie Jackson at point guard with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Nikola Jokic.
Jokic has attempted the team’s first field goal in 56% of games and has scored the first field goal in 56% of games. However, Reggie Jackson has added the first field goal in 44% of games, scoring the first field goal in four of nine games this season.
Jokic has the higher probability, but his odds aren’t nearly as good as Jackson’s +1000 odds. Let’s take a chance on Reggie Jackson at +1000.
Bet: Reggie Jackson (+1000)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday:
- NFL Monday Night Football Best Bets & Predictions
- NFL Monday Night Football Anytime Touchdown Scorer Picks
- NBA Player Prop Bet Odds, Pick & Predictions
- NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (11/27)
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