Germantas Kneita
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The NBA playoffs continue on Thursday night with 3 series shifting location. The Philadelphia 76ers and the Sacramento Kings will both be taking 2-0 leads into enemy territory. What might be unfortunate for the Kings however is that they will be taking on one of the leagues strongest home teams in the Golden State Warriors. The Suns are the only higher seed playing tonight to have dropped a home game. They will be looking to regain home court advantages against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Be sure to take a look at all of our NBA Playoff predictions. But for now, check out my first basket scorer selections below.
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Kings vs Warriors first basket best bet: Domantas Sabonis (+550)
While Domantas Sabonis has failed to help the Sacramento Kings gain the first possession in either game, he as gone on to make the first field goal in both. It would not be surprising to see the same happen again. The Kings stepped up defensively in the last game, holding the Warriors to 106 points. It is an encouraging factor that they could get a stop even if they fail to win tip.
With Draymond Green out for the hosts, they could be more vulnerable defensively. If the Kings can force Kevon Looney off from Sabonis, the Kings star would be a major mismatch against any other Warrior on the block. Even if going against the Warriors center, the Lithuanian has the skillset to convert. He made 66.7% of his shots in his last outing and got took 12 free throws. Do not be surprised to see the Warriors refer to fouling him once more. He is a 74.2% shooter from the line and would be well positioned to knock at least one down.
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76ers vs Nets first basket best bet: Joel Embiid (+290)
Joel Embiid has won the opening tip in both playoff games so far. It has taken his record to 3 out of 4 against Nic Claxton this season. He should be favoured to get his team the ball to begin this game too. In both postseason games, the 76ers superstar has also gone on to take the first shot of the game. So far, it has resulted in him scoring the games first basket once. Do not be surprised if he improves on that here.
He maintains a major physical advantage in the paint over Claxton and should be very effective offensively in the low post. He may also look to attack from the top of the paint where it would be easier for the 76ers to feed him the ball. Considering his height advantage over his matchup, he should have no issues rising above and knocking down a mid-range jumper. He is heavily favored to score first for a reason tonight.
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Suns vs Clippers first basket best bet: Ivica Zubac (+600)
Ivica Zubac and Deandre Ayton have won the opening tip once each to begin this series. Things should be very evenly balanced tonight too. If the Clippers man comes up with the ball for his team first, they have shown a tendency of rewarding him with the opening shot. On the season, no Clipper has made more opening field goals than the Croatian. He should be well positioned to do the same tonight. The hosts have both Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook starting, with both having the ability to get into the paint and draw help. That should leave Zubac open at the rim, something he is more than capable of converting. With the Clippers pair also being great lockdown defenders, they should be well positioned to get a stop even if they do not get the ball first.
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