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There are just 2 games on the NBA slate on Thursday with both games being shown live on TNT. The first of the games will see the Boston Celtics visit the Milwaukee Bucks. The teams currently occupy the top 2 spots in the Eastern Conference. With the season winding to a close, the Bucks could all but guarantee home court advantage throughout the playoffs in the east with a win tonight. Then later out west, the New Orleans Pelicans will visit the Denver Nuggets. While the hosts are sitting comfortably at the top of the conference, the Pelicans are under pressure. They are involved in a major battle for playoff standings and cannot afford to go on a poor run, as it could see them slip out of the picture all together.
You can find my favourite first basket scorer props for each of the games below. And do not forget to read our NBA predictions for the outcomes of those games too.
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Celtics vs Bucks first basket best bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+330)
The Boston Celtics could have issues wrestling the opening possession away from the Milwaukee Bucks. Al Horford has been jumping at the opening tip for the team but he has won just 3 of his last 10. The Bucks on the other hand have won 7 during that time, thanks to the help of Brook Lopez. With the Bucks center being taller and with a longer reach, the Bucks can expect to get the ball first here.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is likely to be the one to get the first shot tonight. In his last 8 starts, he has made the opening field goal for his team on 4 occasions. He is also likely to be picked up by Jayson Tatum tonight. Not only will he have a size and strength advantage over the forward, but he will also have an incentive to go right at him. Tatum is the Celtics leading scorer, and it would benefit the Bucks if he picked up some early fouls. Antetokounmpo has averaged 16.5 free throw attempts per game against the Celtics this season. Do not be surprised to see him power his way through to the charity stripe tonight.
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Pelicans vs Nuggets first basket best bet: Jonas Valanciunas (+470)
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas has had plenty of success winning opening tips for his team. He has helped them gain the first possession in 7 of their last 10 games. Going up against a center that lacks explosive athleticism like Nikola Jokic should help him extend that streak. These sides have faced off 3 times this season already, with Valanciunas winning the tip on each occasion. Nothing to suggest he will fail to do that here.
The Pelicans have been rewarding Valanciunas for his dominance in gaining the ball first. Over the last 10 games he has knocked down the teams first basket on 5 occasions, with 3 being the first in the game overall. He has also made the first shot in 2 of the 3 games against the Nuggets this season. Jokic is a phenomenal talent, but he can be caught lacking defensively. As a team the Nuggets are just 21st in defensive rating over the last 10 games and should struggle forcing a stop. Look for the visitors to turn to their center to make Jokic work on the other end of the floor early.
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