NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (3/13)

If you’re looking for a quick sports bet that could pay out four times or more, we’ve got you covered!

You should look at the first-basket market, especially with nine games on the NBA slate tonight.

Make sure to check out our NBA first basket cheat sheet for even more betting advice.

Plus, be sure to join our BettingPros Discord to discuss the best first-basket bets for each and every slate of NBA games with our community of sports bettors!

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    Wednesday’s Best NBA First Basket Player Prop Bets

    (Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

    Brooklyn Nets vs. Orlando Magic

    The Nets have won the tip 64% of the time when Nic Claxton starts. This season, the Nets have scored first just 51% of the time. However, the Nets should have the advantage over the Magic, who will start Wendell Carter Jr. at center.

    Carter Jr. has been the tip-man in 32 games this season. In those 32 games, he’s only added the tip in 53% of matchups. The Magic scored first in only 45% of games this season, which is still lower than the Nets’ rate of 51%.

    Beyond that, Claxton already has a tip win over Carter Jr. this season.

    Orlando has really struggled to stop power forwards from scoring first this season. In 65 games, the Magic have allowed power forwards to score 31% of the first baskets allowed.

    On the betting board, Dorian Finney-Smith is last at +1200. However, he’s scored two first-field goals in the last ten games, tied with Mikal Bridges and one below Nic Claxton.

    More:  Tuesday’s Best NBA, NHL & College Basketball Bets (3/5)

    Finney-Smith is the Nets’ power forward and has real potential for his third first basket of the season against the Magic.

    Let’s take a wild longshot with Finney-Smith to score first tonight. Bet responsibly with this one!

    Bet: Dorian Finney-Smith (+1200)

    Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Pelicans

    Jarrett Allen has participated in 60 opening tips. In those 60 attempts, Allen has won the tip in 73% of games, helping the Cavaliers score first 57% of the time.

    He’ll face New Orleans’ Jonas Valanciunas. Valaniunas has been involved in the opening tip 64 times this season but has only won the tip in 48% of games. Therefore, the Pelicans have also only scored the first basket in 48% of games.

    Furthermore, Allen already beat Valanciunas head-to-head on an opening tip earlier this season.

    The Pelicans have allowed the first basket to power forwards 30% of the time and centers 33% of the time this year. Therefore, we’re looking at Jarrett Allen in this game.

    This season, Allen has made ten first baskets. He’s also scored the team’s first basket in 30% of games and attempted the team’s first field goal in 27% of games. He’s second on the team in these categories, behind Donovan Mitchell, who could return to the court tonight.

    Either way, Allen has only one fewer first basket than Mitchell this season and has been one of the more consistent centers in the league with the first-basket market.

    Bet: Jarrett Allen (+550)

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    Jason Radowitz