One of the quickest bets you can make in an NBA game is who the first basket scorer will be. The bet usually lasts about 30 seconds, but it’s quite the thrill during that half a minute. There are 9 games on the slate today, and I’ve looked at recent trends and today’s matchups to determine who are the best bets to make for the first basket scorer. Be sure to also check out our NBA picks for today’s games.
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Suns vs Hornets first basket best bet: Kevin Durant (+440)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Is there a better way to begin your Suns career than by scoring the first basket of the game? Kevin Durant is expected to make his Phoenix debut on Wednesday night in Charlotte, but he will be on a minutes restriction since this is his first game back. Since Durant will not be on the floor for more than 20 minutes, I expect Chris Paul and Devin Booker to try and involve Durant quickly at the beginning of the game.
The trio needs to create chemistry quickly in the next few weeks in order to stay in a top seed in the Western Conference. Phoenix has won the tip-off 64% of the time this season, so if Deandre Ayton can earn the first possession, I expect the ball to end up in Booker or Durant’s hands on the perimeter. Since it’s Durant’s first game, I’d lean towards Durant having the first shot attempt and hopefully sinking the basket.
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76ers vs Heat first basket best bet: Joel Embiid (+330)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Joel Embiid leads the league in being the first basket scorer of the game. He has made the first field goal of the game 25 times this season, which is 3 more than the next player. More often than not, the ball finds him on the first possession. He has attempted the first shot for the 76ers 41% of the time and has made the first field goal for Philadelphia 51% of the time. He did not have the first basket in Monday night’s game against the Heat as Bam Adebayo played exceptionally well in the paint against Embiiid.
However, Embiid has the upper hand in this rematch as Philadelphia now knows how to draw Adebayo out of the paint or get Embiid on a mismatch. If the Sixers space the floor more and have more off-the-ball movement early in the game, Embiid should find himself in a good position to make the first basket. He’s been the best at it all season, and at +330 odds, it’s worth a play.
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