Ricky Dimon
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The NCAA Tournament is underway, but don’t forget about the NBA. With the regular season coming down the home stretch, games are only increasing in importance. It’s a great time for sports bettors, and we will whet those appetites with a first basket best bet on Thursday.
Let’s take a look at the best play for the only game on today’s schedule.
Pistons vs Magic: Cade Cunningham +900
The Pistons can be expected to have the first possession in their road date with the Magic on Thursday. It’s not a lock, of course, but you have to play the percentages. Neither Isaiah Stewart of Detroit nor Mo Bamba of Orlando is prolific when it comes to winning jump balls, so let’s consider the head-to-head matchup. These two teams have already faced each other three times this season and on every occasion it has been Stewart against Bamba in the circle. Stewart has given his team possession on two of the three occasions. Unsurprisingly, the Pistons scored first each time they got control and the Magic put in the first basket the one they got it.
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 +900 (seventh-favorite), Cunningham has great value. The No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma State is in fine form at the moment, scoring 20, 22, 20, 28, 22, 27, and 23 points in the last seven games. He has exceeded his season average of 16.9 ppg in 11 consecutive contests. Cunningham could not be more confident right now, and confidence often leads to shots being forked up early and often.
It should be noted that Cunningham is questionable due to a non-Covid illness, but if he doesn’t play at least you get your money back. Nobody else has particularly enticing value, so this is the bet to make.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Detroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic
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