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.
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Kristaps Porzingis First Basket Scorer (+600)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become a marquee day on the NBA calendar. Instead of playing a traditional evening slate, the action is spaced out all throughout the day. Things get started at noon ET and the final game tips at 10:30 p.m. ET, so there is plenty of basketball to enjoy on (hopefully) your day off.
There are also some quality games to choose from, with a matchup between the Celtics and Warriors standing out as the headliner. These two squads met in the NBA Finals three years ago, with the Warriors ultimately prevailing. The Celtics bounced back to win the title last year, while Golden State is on the back side of their dynastic run. They’ve dipped all the way to 11th in the Western Conference, so they’re not even a lock to make the play-in tournament this season.
From a first-basket standpoint, the Celtics have a pretty clear edge in this matchup. They’ve been excellent on tip-offs of late, especially when Porzingis has been in the lineup. They’ve won seven of their past 10 tips overall, while the Warriors have won just 26.8% for the year.
When Porzingis has been active for Boston, he’s been arguably their best first-basket option all season. He’s taken the first shot in 22.2% of his outings, which is the top mark on the squad. He’s also scored the team’s first bucket in three of his past seven starts, with two of them representing the first basket of the game.
Porzingis is priced significantly behind both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on FanDuel, which feels like a mistake. +600 is not a price tag that is available for Porzingis very often, so let’s take advantage while we can.
Where to play: Kristaps Porzingis First Basket Scorer (+600) | FanDuel
Dean Wade First Basket Scorer (+1500)
The Cavaliers have been dominant this season, cruising out to a 35-6 record through the first half of the year. They’ve also been dominant on tip-offs of late, winning each of their past 10. Jarrett Allen is one of the best in the business in that department, so they’re another team with a sizable edge in the first-basket market on Monday.
Wade is not a huge part of their offense overall, but that doesn’t mean he can’t get on the board first occasionally. In fact, he’s scored the Cavs’ first basket in three of their past 10 outings, and he has two first baskets as well. His overall shot volume isn’t great – he has just a 10.7% usage rate for the year – but +1500 feels generous for a player whose team is very likely to get the ball first.
Where to play: Dean Wade First Basket Scorer (+1500) | 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
- Underdog
- PrizePicks
- Betr Picks
- Vivid Picks
- Sleeper Fantasy
- Boom Fantasy
- ParlayPlay
- Chalkboard Fantasy
Be sure to check out the Props.com overview of the Best Online Sports Betting Bonuses in the U.S.
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