Germantas Kneita
Show Bio
There are 6 games on the NBA slate for us to enjoy on Saturday. The nights main event will be live on NBA TV. It will see the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Denver Nuggets in what will be a clash of the 2 teams atop of their respective conferences. Nikola Jokic is clearly in the running for his third successive MVP trophy. A strong showing tonight would make his case that much more compelling. Take a look at the first basket scorer props I have picked out for that game below. And do not forget to check out the rest of our NBA picks too.
Now you can bet any of our first basket scorer predictions at FanDuel Sportsbook, which has a great new-customer offer to take advantage of. If you sign up for FanDuel right now, you can secure a no sweat first bet up to $1,000! Click here to join FanDuel right now.
Bucks vs Nuggets first basket best bet: Jrue Holiday (+850)
Over the last 10 games, there has been a contrast between these sides in terms of the ability to win the ball from the tip. The Bucks have done so on 8 occasions while the Nuggets and Jokic have succeeded just 4 times. Look for the visitors to have the opening possession as a result. Do not be surprised to see Jrue Holiday take over from there. He will be matched against Jamal Murray. Not only does he have a height advantage over the guard, Murray also has the worst defensive rating among the Nuggets starters. The hosts are not a great defensive unit, ranking in the bottom half of the league in defensive rating. If Holiday can put Murray and Jokic in a pick and roll situation early, he should have success getting to the rim and finishing.
Check out our Milwaukee Bucks vs Denver Nuggets predictions
Pelicans vs Clippers first basket best bet: CJ McCollum (+800)
Jonas Valanciunas has helped the New Orleans Pelicans win the opening tip 8 times over the last 10 games. And while he has had plenty of success converting the opening possession himself, he could have issues doing so tonight. He will be up against Ivica Zubac, who should prove a physical presence down low. With Kawhi Leonard picking up Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum could be asked to step up early. He had a strong performance the last time the sides faced off, scoring 22 points, and shooting 50% from 3-point range. With Valanciunas being one of the better screen setters in the league, he should allow McCollum to create enough separation to get his jump shot off first tonight.
DraftKings Sportsbook is currently giving new customers $150 in bonus bets if they bet $5 and their team wins when they sign up. That’s all there is to it! Grab this amazing sign-up offer by clicking this link.
Jazz vs Kings first basket best bet: Talen Horton-Tucker (+650)
In the last game between the sides, Walker Kessler was able to gain the opening possession for the Utah Jazz. With Domantas Sabonis helping the Kings win just 2 of their last 10 tips, look for the Jazz to have the opening possession once more. With the hosts 23rd in defensive rating over the last 10 games, one possession could very well be enough. Sabonis does not provide the Kings with great rim protection, with the Kings 29th this season in blocks per game. Considering Talen Horton-Tuckers ability to get to the rim and finish through contact, do not be surprised to see the ball in his hands from the start. With De’Aaron Fox potentially missing, the Jazz could look to try and get Sabonis in foul trouble. Who better to do that than a physical guard who thrives attacking down hill. Look for him to be involved early.
All of today’s biggest games are available to bet with BetMGM, the premier destination for online sports betting. New customers can earn themselves a $1,000 deposit bonus by signing up right now! Click here to lock in this great sign-up 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.
