NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/31)

Jan 31, 2023 - 12:34 PM

There are five NBA games tonight. The quickest way to get into the action is first-basket betting. Betting the first basket is one of the most simple bets in sports betting. Pick the player to score the first basket of the basketball game to win.

Let us look into the matchups tonight to find the best first-basket bets. Do not blink, or you might miss it.

And check out our other top picks for Tuesday:

• NBA Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions
• NBA Player Prop Odds, Picks & Predictions
• NBA Best Bets Odds, Picks & Predictions
• NBA Player Prop Bet Rankings Picks & Predictions
• College Basketball Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions
• NHL Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

View 5-star bets and historical prop performance by players with our Prop Bet Analyzer >>

First Basket Player Prop Bets

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Hornets

The Milwaukee Bucks are the better team. They are 33-17 and third in the eastern conference. The Hornets are 15-36 and second to last. That means the Bucks have the advantage in first-basket scoring due to simply being better. They are also better defensively, and that means even if they lose the tipoff, they could get a chance to score. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best offensive player for the Bucks, and honestly, the Hornets do not have a player that can defend him consistently. He averages 31.7 points per game and will be the No. 1 scoring option tonight. Antotokounmpo has been dealing with lingering injuries. That means waiting until close to start time to make sure the Bucks are not resting him is the best option. 

First Basket: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+290)

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Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Tonight the tipoff could go either way. That means the team to score first will be the most consistent on defense and offense. Currently, that team is the Clippers. When they have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the basketball court, they are one of the better teams in the NBA. The issue has been keeping them on the court.  

Leonard is one of the best players in the NBA when healthy. Leonard sat out Sunday due to injury management. That means he is well-rested entering this matchup. That rest and the Bull’s offensive struggles give Leonard plenty of betting value tonight. 

First Basket: Kawhi Leonard (+370)

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Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Denver Nuggets are the better team at winning the first possession. They have plenty of talent and can score consistently. The most consistent player on their team is Nikola Jokic. He can do it all, score, rebound, defend and pass. 

Jokic is one of the best all-around centers in the NBA. That makes him one of the toughest players to defend because he can do a little of everything. The Pelicans are dealing with injuries tonight. That only increases the chances for Jokic to score first. 

First Basket: Nikola Jokic (+360)

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Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.

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