Ricky Dimon
NBA
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If you are a fan of the YRFI/NRFI prop in Major League Baseball, you surely dabble into the realm of first-basket scorers in the NBA. Needless to say, you don’t have to wait long to find out the result of this particular bet. The satisfaction (or in some cases disappointment) is immediate.
Speaking of satisfaction, how about Friday’s schedule for NBA fans to enjoy? It includes a doubleheader on ESPN that begins with Boston hosting Brooklyn before Memphis visits Denver. New York, Phoenix, Golden State, the Clippers and the Lakers are also in action. Yes, there is plenty to work with in an attempt to come up with the best first basket scorer bets.
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Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder first basket best bet: Lauri Markkanen (+500)
The Jazz can be expected to have the first possession in their road date with the Thunder on Friday. Utah big man Walker Kessler is one of the best in the business when it comes to jump balls. Kessler, a 7-footer, has won 63.2% of his jump balls this season (24 of 38). He will be going up against Jaylin Williams of Oklahoma City, who is among the worst in this particular department (7 won, 11 lost for 38.9%).
Obviously the tipoff is the most important factor that should be looked at when deciding on first-basket bets. It goes without saying that players on whichever team gains possession are going to have by far the best opportunities. Assuming the Jazz have the ball first, Markkanen should be the one to capitalize. With Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton out, Markkanen is by far the team’s leading scorer currently on the floor at 25.3 points per game. He has forked up at least 20 field-goal attempts in 5 of the last 6 contests. The Arizona product has scored the first basket 14 times in 2022-23, including in 3 of the last 10 games. Even as the favorite, Markkanen has good value at +500.
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Memphis Grizzlies vs Denver Nuggets first basket best bet: Jaren Jackson Jr. (+600)
This Grizzlies-Nuggets game is another case of the tipoff being a key component. Jaren Jackson Jr. will be lining up for Memphis and he has won 73.9% of his jumps this season (17 won, 6 lost). Denver is countering with Nikola Jokic, who is awesome at pretty much everything except jump balls. Jokic comes in at 36.8% (29 of 62).
If Memphis corrals the ball off the tip, don’t be shocked if Jackson Jr. is the beneficiary of his own success in the circle. These teams faced each other last week and Jackson Jr. won the tip from Jokic and attempted the first shot (albeit it was blocked). JJJ has attempted his team’s first FG 25% of the time this season, has made it 19% of the time and has been the first-basket scorer on 9 occasions. There is no reason why he can’t do it again.
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