Germantas Kneita
There are 7 games on the NBA slate on Wednesday night, including a ESPN double header. The first of the games will see a Eastern Conference clash between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. A win for the host would close the gaps between the sides to just 2 games. That will be followed by the the battle between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors with 5th place in the conference at stake.
Take a look at all of my first basket scorer props below and the rest of our NBA picks too.
Warriors vs Clippers first basket best bet: Klay Thompson (+500)
The Golden State Warriors love going to Klay Thompson early in games. Over the last 10 games he has knocked down the team’s opening basket on 7 occasions. They will have a great chance of gaining the opening possession of the night as Ivica Zubac will be jumping for the tip. The Los Angeles Clippers center is far from athletic giving Kevon Looney a chance of winning the ball. Even if they do not get the opening possession, the Golden State Warriors have been great at getting stops. Over the last 10 games they are 2nd in the league in defensive rating. Against a team that is in the bottom 10 of the league in opponent 3-pointers made per game during that time, Thompson should thrive from the get-go.
Lakers vs Rockets first basket best bet: Malik Beasley (+800)
Malik Beasley had himself a great shooting night last night, where he knocked down 7 of 12 3-pointers. No other Los Angeles Laker making the teams opening basket more frequently over the last 10 games him. Do not be surprised to see the ball in his hand early here as a result of these factors. The Lakers will have a great chance of gaining the opening possession too. The Rockets have won the opening tip just twice over the last 10 games. They could also be without their starting center in Alperen Sengun tonight. With the team also 29th in the league in defensive rating during that stretch, it is hard seeing them get a stop here.
Kings vs Bulls first basket best bet: Zach LaVine (+650)
Domantas Sabonis has helped the Sacramento Kings to win the opening possession just once over their last 10 games. It should allow Chicago Bulls and Nikola Vucevic to win the opening tip and take the games first shot. The Kings have been the worst team during that same stretch defensive rating which should allow Zach LaVine to take over. So far this month he is averaging 35 points per game and is making 51.4% from 3-point range during that time. With the Kings 29th in opponent 3-pointers makes per game over the last 10, LaVine should have success attacking from the outside. The Bulls star has made the opening basket for the Bulls 4 times over the last 10 games and could be well positioned to add to that here.
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