Best NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bets for Today 2/28: AD steps up for the Lakeshow

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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Filip Tomic

NBA

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Long-time NBA fan, following the game closely for 21 years now. Joined the Pickswise writing staff for the 2020-21 season and have given out winning picks since. Hopefully we can make some money together! Oh, and I firmly believe Lebron James is not one of the two best basketball players of all time. Yeah, I said it.

We wrap up February with a huge 10-game slate this Tuesday, with a couple of tasty clashes in both Conferences. Last night both the Knicks and 76ers won the opening tips in their game, but luck avoided us a bit on our first basket bets.

We go at it tonight again, I’ve prepared a couple of really interesting bets for the Lakers vs Grizzlies and Bucks vs Nets games. Continue reading to see them below.

Also don’t forget to head over to our NBA Predictions page for picks on the side and total for Tuesday’s 10-game slate. Let’s jump into my bets now!

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Lakers vs Grizzlies: Anthony Davis (+470)

LeBron James accounts for 28% of the Lakers’ 1st field goal attempts this season, while making 33% of them. Removing him from the equation could open up the door for someone else to shine here. I think Los Angeles goes straight to Anthony Davis, as they want to send a clear message that they can rely on him to carry the offense in tonight’s game. AD has been one of the most reliable tip winners in the NBA this season, winning 75% of tips in the 27 games he’s played in. His counterpart Jaren Jackson Jr. is at just 66%, giving our guy a clear advantage here. Over the last 10 games Davis has scored the first field goal 5 times, the most out of any Lakers played. When you’re in a hostile environment like Memphis, setting the tone early could be crucial for the outcome of the game so I’m expecting the Lakers to be sharp at the beginning of the game. Hopefully Davis comes out firing in this one.

Check out our LA Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies Same Game Parlay at +624 odds!

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Bucks vs Nets: Brook Lopez (+750)

Lopez has both the height and weight advantage over Nic Claxton here as the two will jump it up before tonight’s game. That gives the Bucks center a huge advantage, he is one of the league leaders in tips won this season at 71%, compared to Claxton who is at just 43%. Lopez is one of the unsung heroes of this Bucks team, he just goes out there and does his job regardless of who is playing. He’s contributed big time in games when Giannis wasn’t available, he’s actually made the most 1st field goals for his team this season at 12 in the 55 games he’s started.

Only Bobby Portis has averaged more first field goal attempts per game (44%) than Lopez (24%), and in the last 10 games that duo is tied with 4 shots made each. Portis now moves to the bench to make room for Antetokounmpo in the starting line-up, which puts our guy in a favorable position to grab the first shot attempt here. Lopez is one of the most versatile big men in our game, he can hurt the Nets both from three or on the inside, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the first play of the game was made for him.

Read our Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets full game preview.

All NBA games is available to bet on at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new customers can bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your team wins. Click this link to take advantage of this great offer. 

 

Pickswise is the home of free NBA Picks and NBA Predictions. Check out the latest NBA Prop Bets and NBA Parlays as well as NBA Best Bets from our NBA experts. 

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