With 11 games on the NBA slate, there are so many matchups to choose from for our First-Basket scorers picks. I’ve narrowed down the selections and added the two bets I’m the most confident in tonight.
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Monday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets
Charlotte Hornets @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In the Hornets-Cavaliers game, Nick Richards of the Hornets will likely face Jarrett Allen of the Cavaliers.
Richards has participated in the opening tip 46% of the time this year. However, he’s only won the tip 52% of the time, and the Hornets have scored the First Basket in only 37% of games this season.
On the other hand, Allen has won the tip in 73% of games, and Cleveland scored the First Basket in 56% of games this season. Cleveland has the edge.
The Hornets have trouble stopping the power forward and center early. The power forward and center positions scored 25% of the First Baskets.
Between Evan Mobley and Allen, the Cavaliers have gotten 11 First Baskets from Allen in 66 games while only getting three from Mobley in 39 games. Allen scored the team’s First Basket in 29% of games and attempted the first field goal for the Cavaliers in 27% of games.
We’re rolling with Allen for the first basket at +420.
Bet: Jarrett Allen (+420)
Brooklyn Nets @ Toronto Raptors
We expect to get Nic Claxton of the Nets facing Kelly Olynyk of the Toronto Raptors for the tip. While the Raptors scored the First Basket in 62% of games this season, when Olynyk participated in the tip, they’ve only won the tip in 33% of his 12 opening tips.
Meanwhile, Claxton has added 62% tip wins in 61 opening tips this season. Tonight, the Nets are likely to get the ball first and take the first shot.
The Raptors have allowed 22% of first baskets to be scored by shooting guards and 30% from centers. We’ll look at those two positions closely on the Nets for the First basket. That would give us Cam Thomas or Claxton to score first.
Claxton has added the First Basket in 26% of games for the Nets this season. He’s also added the team’s first score in 36% of games this year. In 61 games, Claxton has 16 First Baskets. Therefore, let’s take Claxton at +550.
Bet: Nic Claxton (+550)
