NBA First Basket will break down some of his favorite NBA plays of the day here, and will track all his bets in The Action Network app.
Nikola Jokic & Will Barton
Prop | Nikola Jokic (+320) | Will Barton (+700) |
Matchup | Warriors vs. Nuggets |
Time | 3:30 p.m. ET |
Book | FanDuel |
Denver hosts Golden State in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon. Nikola Jokic has won eight of nine opening tip-offs vs. Kevon Looney over the past two years. Denver also has scored first in nine of its last 10 games, while Golden State has scored first in just two of the last 10 games. Denver takes fewer attempts than any other team in the league (1.7) to make its first team field goal.
Golden State gives up first baskets to opposing centers in 34% of games (tied for worst in the league). Jokic has been a first basket machine, scoring the first team field goal in 42% of games started and cashing first basket in 22% of games started.
Both of those numbers are among the top 10 in the league. In games versus Golden State this season, Jokic has taken the first shot four out of seven times but only cashed the first field goal twice.
The other key player here is Will Barton. We rarely get a team where two players dominate the majority of first baskets for their team. He has made the Nuggets’ first team field goal a staggering 34% of the time, lending good value at +700 odds.
Plays
- Nikola Jokic: +320 Risk (1 unit)
- Will Barton: +700 (0.5 units)
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