Ricky Dimon
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Welcome to March, when basketball is king. The NCAA Tournament is less than 2 weeks away and the NBA is coming down the home stretch of the regular season. For this piece it is the pros who have our attention. We have a 6-game slate on Saturday, highlighted by the nightcap on ABC between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.
Let’s take a look at some first basket best bets.
Magic vs Grizzlies: Desmond Bane +750
The Grizzlies can be expected to have the first possession in their home date with the Magic on Saturday. In fact, Memphis is pretty much always favored to win the tip. Steven Adams is the best in the business when it comes to jump balls, having won 55 of 73 this season (75.34%). He will be going up against Orlando big man Mo Bamba, who comes in at 45.9%.
Needless to say, the tipoff is the most important factor that should be looked at when deciding on first-basket bets. Obviously players on whichever team gains possession are going to have by far the best opportunities. At +750, Bane has better value than teammates Jaren Jackson Jr. (+440) and Ja Morant (+480). The second-year shooting guard out of TCU is averaging 17.5 ppg and he has scored at least 22 points in 3 of the last 8 games. Bane is coming off a 5-for-10 effort from 3-point range during Thursday’s loss at Boston, and it should be noted that the Magic are the 4th-worst team at defending 3-pointers this season.
Check out our Magic vs Grizzlies preview
Spurs vs Hornets – Dejounte Murray +750
This Spurs-Hornets matchup is another case of the tipoff being a key component. Jakob Poeltl will be lining up for San Antonio and he was won 39 of 69 jumps during this 2021-22 campaign (56.52%). Poeltl will be facing Charlotte center Mason Plumlee, who comes in at 40.98% (25 won, 36 lost).
If San Antonio gains possession, don’t be surprised if Murray is the beneficiary. The 6th-year point guard out of Washington has produced points totals of 31, 21, and 29 over the past 3 contests. He was the first-basket scorer in Monday’s loss at Memphis and he also attempted a shot with the score still tied 0-0 in Thursday’s setback against Sacramento. Murray is forking up shots early and often, and he should continue to do so given the confidence with which he is playing.
Check out all of our NBA previews and picks for Saturday
If you want to go really big, a Bane-Murray parlay pays out at +7125!
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