Filip Tomic
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We have a pair of really big games in the Eastern Conference tonight as we enter the final week of the NBA regular season. The #2 seed is on the line as the Celtics and Bucks clash in Milwaukee, while the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors meet in what could be a 1st-round matchup in the playoffs.
To spice things up I’ve prepared a couple of first basket plays for Thursday’s action, so let’s get into it using odds from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Celtics vs Bucks: Jaylen Brown (+600)
Jaylen Brown is one of 5 players on a hot streak in terms of scoring the first basket for their team. He has done so 5 times in the last 20 days, so he definitely deserves a look in tonight’s game against Milwaukee. There’s a good chance Boston ends up with the tip at the start of the game if Al Horford starts for them. He has won 75% of the tips in the last 20 days, which has resulted in his team scoring the first basket in 66% of their games. In 79 games played this season, the shooting guard has scored the first basket for the Celtics 22 times, which is the highest number on the team. With Tatum drawing so much attention, Brown should have a much easier time getting off shots in this game. He has been lighting it up lately, scoring 25+ points in 10 games in a row, which is the longest active streak in the NBA.
Check out our full game preview for Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks
76ers vs Raptors: Joel Embiid (+300)
With the MVP trophy and scoring title still on the line, I’m expecting Joel Embiid to assert himself in this one. Winning the tip would be an ideal start to the game. Embiid has won 66% of tips in the last 20 days, which has led the 76ers to score the first basket in 73% of their games. In 78 games played this season, the Sixers’ center has opened the scoring 26 times, while Toronto has allowed the opposing center to score the first basket in 20 of 79 games. Embiid will most likely jump against Siakam or Barnes. I’m hoping it’s Barnes because in the last 20 days he has won just 33% of tip-offs. The way the Raptors team is structured, they really don’t have anyone on that roster who can handle the Philly big man, so the game plan for the Sixers should be to feed Embiid early and often. He’s already had a 36-point performance against them in Canada, and a similar stat line plus a win tonight would surely help his case for MVP, so I expect Embiid to come out with a lot of energy.
If you want to combine these two bets, a Brown-Embiid parlay pays out at +2700!
Read our Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors full game preview
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