Matt LaMarca

NBA First Basket Predictions – Top First Basket Scorer Prop Bets

We look through some winning NBA DFS pick'em and props strategies and tips when picking out your NBA player picks this coming season.
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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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Best NBA First Basket & Points Props Today: Sunday, June 22

Every day during the NBA regular season and playoffs, we run through our favorite first basket bets and predictions of the night. Bet today’s first basket scorer at FanDuel!

Chet Holmgren First Basket Scorer (+500; FanDuel)

It all comes down to this. The Pacers put together their best performance of the Finals in Game 6, setting up a winner-take-all Game 7 back in Oklahoma City. The Thunder are the clear favorites after a historically good regular season, but the Pacers have come up with clutch performances every time they’ve needed to during the playoffs. It’s the first Game 7 of the NBA Finals since 2016, so this series has far surpassed most expectations for viewers.

While this series has been highly competitive overall, the Thunder have dominated from a first-basket standpoint. They’ve won five of the six opening tips, and they’ve scored first in all six contests. Isaiah Hartenstein has gotten on the board first in each of the past two outings, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Cason Wallace each had one first basket in the first four games.

It remains to be seen if the Thunder will roll with the same starting lineup for Game 7. They’ve tinkered with their starting five all playoffs, and after a disastrous performance in Game 6, it wouldn’t be a huge shock if they tried something different on Sunday. The most likely change would be sending Hartenstein back to the bench, so make sure to monitor for updates. Regardless, Chet Holmgren should handle the tip-off responsibilities, and he gives the team a clear edge in the center circle.

The Thunder have used a committee approach to score first all season, making them a tough team to pin down for Game 7. Ultimately, I’m going to side with Holmgren in the final game of the year. He’s been their most frequent first-shooter and first-scorer this season, so he has the best metrics of the bunch. Holmgren, SGA, and Jalen Williams are all available at right around +500, so Holmgren stands out as a decent value compared to his teammates.

Where to play: Chet Holmgren First Basket Scorer (+500) | 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

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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:

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