Jalen Brunson did the work for us on Tuesday, and Devin Vassell cashed another one last night. That’s two straight first basket props hit, if anyone is paying attention at home. Those familiar with the OddsShopper brand know there is no resting on laurels, as the NBA is right back with some sweet spots to attack. The first basket prop is a factor of a team winning the tip, playing great defense if it does not and ultimately finding a non-chalk player to knock down the bucket. That’s what happened the past two times with Brunson and Vassell. Here are the best NBA first basket picks tonight!
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NBA First Basket Bets Tonight: Odds & Picks
Knicks-Bucks First Basket Odds & Pick Tonight
Brook Lopez will square off against Mitchell Robinson in tonight’s opening tip. Expect Robinson to land the ball and the Knicks to get first possession. It’s what they do with it that matters most. Brunson is still at +650 — the same number that hit on Tuesday night — to score first and makes the most sense for any Knicks player. Pushing this backcourt with a lesser defender in Damian Lillard should be a key area of initial strategy for the Knicks, but the Bucks also have someone they like to get going early, especially as it can help stretch the floor. It’s not Giannis Antetokounmpo and it’s not Lillard; instead it’s the man who lost the tip. Expect the Knicks to get it, mess it up somehow then Milwaukee to get Lopez open from 3, either in transition or an actual offensive set. Once again, Lopez took the first shot of the Bucks’ most recent game, as he’s done for all except their home opener.
He’s being told to shoot right away, and that won’t stop. Knocking down an outside shot will only open up the lane for others.
Best NBA First Basket Bet Prop: Brook Lopez +800 (FanDuel) for 0.25 Units
Longshot First Basket Bet Tonight
Guess who took the first shot for the 76ers last night? De’Anthony Melton at 11-1. Despite a miss, the process was there and will be trusted again for tonight’s action. Similar to the situation with Melton, the idea is finding a longer shot that has realistic value of getting that first look. The best chance here is taking advantage of the Nets injuries — specifically Nicolas Claxton. Ben Simmons is charged with taking the tip, as he most recently did against the Heat. Brooklyn takes on the Bulls, and four of the top six options for first basket are Nets. It’s almost telegraphing a Bulls player. The reality is Zach LaVine will continue to play through injury and is the best target here for a longer shot. But even behind LaVine is Coby White, who has the ability to soften up the Nets perimeter with an early 3. White can get to the hoop on a mismatch depending on how Chicago moves the ball, but with LaVine’s injury and extra focus on Nikola Vucevic, White should get the first look to score. He’s currently sitting at 9-1 on FanDuel and is absolutely worth the squeeze.
Best NBA First Basket Prop: Coby White +900 (FanDuel) for 0.15 Units
OddsShopper’s NBA Tools & Tips
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