Filip Tomic
We were able to hit +280 and +600 odds first basket bets successfully in Friday’s article, as Joel Embiid and Jonas Valanciunas delivered. Sunday brings us 8 more games and I’ve picked out my favorite bets from the Raptors vs Bucks and Magic vs Lakers games. Continue reading to see them below.
Also don’t forget to head over to our NBA picks for our predictions on the side and total for Sunday’s 8-game slate. Let’s jump into my bets now!
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Raptors vs Bucks first basket bet: Pascal Siakam (+500)
Brook Lopez missed the last Bucks game and is doubtful for tonight, which means they’ll have to opt for either Giannis Antetokounmpo or Bobby Portis to jump it up against Jacob Poeltl. The Raptors’ center has the height advantage against both of those guys, which should help him secure the opening tip. Assuming the road team is able to control the ball, I think they’ll look to attack the basket right from the start with Lopez out, so going to Pascal Siakam is expected.
He has scored 33% of his team’s first field goals this season, including their first basket in last night’s game against Minnesota. He’s one of the more active players in the opening quarter this season for Toronto, playing almost 10 minutes per game while attempting 5.3 shots a night. He has scored the first basket for the Raptors 21 times this season, 10 more than the closest player to him, and 49% of all first-team field goals for Toronto have come from either the C or PF positions this season. With the Bucks allowing 48% of first field goals from those positions I think there’s a pretty solid chance of Siakam opening the scoring.
Check out our full game preview for Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks
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Magic vs Lakers first basket bet: Anthony Davis (+320)
Orlando’s biggest problem when it comes to defending the opponent’s first basket this season seems to be the center position as 27% of the first field goals they’ve allowed this season came from that position. The Clippers went through Ivica Zubac last night to score their first points against the Magic. Wendell Carter Jr. does a solid job at winning tips at 63%, but as a team the Lakers have won 68% of theirs this season. LA won the opening tip in the first meeting between the teams, and after a poor showing against Dallas I think Anthony Davis will be determined to make amends.
The Lakers have scored 47% of their first field goals from the C and PF positions, which is a good indicator that they like to push the ball down low early. Getting off to a good start will be crucial for a win, so let’s hope the Lakers get their big man involved early and he goes to work.
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