Looking for the best NBA first basket predictions and best bets today? You’re in luck! In this article, the Props crew will outline their top NBA first basket picks for every day of the basketball season.
We mean it, because we deliver our best bets for every day there’s a game on the calendar. No load management here!
Below are our best NBA first basket predictions today. Be sure to check our NBA player props for more top selections for the current NBA slate.
Top NBA Offers in The United States
Best NBA First Basket & Points Props Today: Friday, May 23rd
Every day during the NBA regular season and playoffs, we run through our favorite first basket bets and predictions of the night.
Mikal Bridges First Basket Scorer (+750)
The Knicks and Pacers played an instant classic in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. New York built what seemed like an insurmountable lead late in the fourth quarter, but the Pacers managed to erase the deficit and secure an overtime victory. It was one of the most insane comebacks in NBA history, with the Pacers becoming the first team ever to erase a nine-point deficit with less than a minute left to play. Before Indiana pulled off the comeback, NBA teams were 0-1434 in that scenario. It was their third improbable comeback of the postseason, so the Pacers are starting to feel a bit like a team of destiny.
The good news for the Knicks is that they controlled most of that contest, and they’re moderate favorites once again in Game 2. They’re in a good spot to even up the series before heading to Indiana as long as they aren’t too deflated following the Game 1 collapse.
The Knicks failed to win the tip-off in Game 1, but that was their first loss on a tip-off to the Pacers this season. They were 3-0 in their previous head-to-head matchups, and Karl-Anthony Towns won both tips against Myles Turner before Wednesday. They were also the better team on tips in general this season, giving them the edge in that department in Game 2.
Bridges stands out as one of the Knicks’ most undervalued options. He hasn’t been a huge factor to start games this season, taking the first shot in just 6.4% of his outings, but that has changed a bit during the playoffs. He’s taken the first shot for New York in five of their past 10 outings, and he’s scored their first bucket in three of those contests. Ultimately, +750 feels like a pretty solid price tag.
Where to play: Mikal Bridges First Basket Scorer (+750) | FanDuel
Where To Place NBA First Basket Bets
The following sportsbooks have more than enough options to satisfy your NBA First Basket needs. As outlined before, always shop around for the best price for NBA First Basket Bets.
On top of that, our team spent the time to find the best available bonus offers at each listed sportsbook. If you are new to any of these betting apps, be sure to use our exclusive links and promo codes to claim your free bets:
Top Sportsbooks For NBA First Basket Props
- FanDuel Sportsbook (click here for our full review)
- Caesars Sportsbook (click here for our full review)
- BetMGM (click here for our full review)
- DraftKings Sportsbook (click here for our full review)
Best Fantasy Props Sites For NBA
Be sure to check out the Props.com overview of the Best Online Sports Betting Bonuses in the U.S.
Best Online Sportsbook Bonuses
Take a look at the Props.com NBA Betting Guide and Guide To Prop Betting for more on how to bet on world’s premier professional basketball league.
Also check out these Props.com resources on sportsbook bonuses by state:
- Can I Bet On Sports In My State?
- Top Alabama Welcome Bonuses
- Top Arizona Welcome Bonuses
- Top California Welcome Bonuses
- Top Colorado Welcome Bonuses
- Top Illinois Welcome Bonuses
- Top Indiana Welcome Bonuses
- Top Kansas Welcome Bonuses
- Top Kentucky Welcome Bonuses
- Top Maryland Welcome Bonuses
- Top Massachusetts Welcome Bonuses
- Top Michigan Welcome Bonuses
- Top Nebraska Welcome Bonuses
- Top New Jersey Welcome Bonuses
- Top New York Welcome Bonuses
- Top North Carolina Welcome Bonuses
- Top Ohio Welcome Bonuses
- Top Oklahoma Welcome Bonuses
- Top Pennsylvania Welcome Bonuses
- Top Tennessee Welcome Bonuses
- Top Texas Welcome Bonuses
- Top Virginia Welcome Bonuses
- Top Wisconsin Welcome Bonuses