Ricky Dimon
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If you are a fan of the YRFI/NRFI prop and can’t wait for Major League Baseball season to begin, you surely also have a soft spot for the first-basket scorer offering in the NBA. Needless to say, you don’t have to wait long to find out the result when it comes to those particular betting markets. The satisfaction (or in some cases disappointment) is immediate.
Before the MLB season gets underway next week, let’s try to nail some first-basket winners on Sunday, which gives us a 9-game schedule in the association. The Lakers, Grizzlies, Nets and Warriors are all in action. Here we go.
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Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Cavaliers first basket best bet: Darius Garland (+600)
The Cavaliers can be expected to have the first possession in their home date with the Rockets on Sunday. Cleveland big man Jarrett Allen is one of the best in the business when it comes to jump balls. Allen has won the second-most jumps in the NBA during the 2022-23 campaign (57) and registers at 68.7 percent. He will be going up against Jabari Smith Jr. of Houston, who hasn’t quite gotten the hang of things in the circle during his rookie season. The #2 overall pick has won 17 and lost 21 (44.7 percent).
Obviously the tipoff is the most important factor that should be looked at when deciding on first-basket bets. It goes without saying that players on whichever team gains possession are going to have by far the best opportunities. Assuming the Cavaliers have the ball first, Garland could be the one to capitalize. The Vanderbilt product has attempted at least 13 shots in 8 consecutive contests, including at least 15 on 7 of those occasions. He went 11 of 19 from the floor in last Friday’s win over Washington. The last time these 2 teams faced each other, Allen won the tip from Smith and Garland scored inside the first minute of the game. Garland had seven points inside the first 4 minutes.
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Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors first basket best bet: Mike Conley (+1100)
This Timberwolves-Warriors game is another case of the tipoff being a key component. Rudy Gobert will be lining up for Minnesota and he has won 64.2 percent of his jumps this season (43 won, 24 lost). Golden State is countering with Kevon Looney, who comes in at an even 50 percent (41 and 41.)
If Minnesota corrals the ball off the tip, don’t be shocked if Conley is the beneficiary. Anthony Edwards is out and Karl-Anthony Towns probably isn’t going to play, either, so Conley will have to pick up some of the offensive slack. The veteran point guard has forked up at least 11 field-goal attempts and is averaging 19.3 points over the last 4 games (well up from his 11.4 ppg season-long number). As the longshot on either team at +1100 odds, Conley has great value.
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