Best NBA first basket scorer prop bets for today 3/4: Tobias Harris plays bully ball

Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris
Photo of Germantas Kneita

Germantas Kneita

NBA

Show Bio

Like most Lithuanians, I started watching basketball from the age of six. I'm based out in London and played basketball at the University of Lincoln here in the UK. I had always had an interest in the NBA but things really took off in the summer of 2010. That year Linas Kleiza led Lithuania to 3rd place at the World Championships and signed with the Toronto Raptors to replace the departing Chris Bosh. I've been a Raptors fan since that day and I've not missed a game since. I've been handicapping games for more than a decade, specializing in player props.

There are 6 games on the NBA slate tonight with the main event taking place live on ABC. The Philadelphia 76ers will be taking on the Milwaukee Bucks in a clash of Eastern Conference heavyweights. With the playoffs just around the corner, we could very well be watching a preview of a conference finals series. The battle between Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo is bound to be exciting too.

But for now, let’s dive straight into my favorite NBA first-basket scorer props for tonight’s games. And don’t forget to take a look at the rest of our NBA predictions for tonight’s slate as well.

Now you can bet any of our NBA 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 get a No Sweat First Bet of up to $1,000. Click here to join FanDuel right now.

76ers vs Bucks first basket best bet: Tobias Harris (+1000)

I am giving the advantage to Joel Embiid when it comes to winning the opening tip. The 76ers center is one of the biggest players in the league and has athleticism to boot. He has helped this team gain the opening possession in 6 of their last 10 games. The 76ers have then gone on to score the opening field goal in 9 games during that time. Tobias Harris has been responsible for 2 of those and he could add to his tally tonight. Embiid has a tough matchup on the inside as the Bucks have plenty of size on the interior. James Harden should have an equally tough game going against Jrue Holiday. Look for Harris to play a bigger role as a result and to be featured early.

Don’t miss today’s NBA mega parlay!

Timberwolves vs Kings first basket best bet: Anthony Edwards (+390)

The Minnesota Timberwolves will have a great chance of winning the opening tip tonight. Rudy Gobert is going to enjoy a major size advantage over Domantas Sabonis. With the Kings just 28th in defensive rating over the last 10 games, the Timberwolves should have a great chance of converting from the get-go. With the lack of rim protection Sabonis provides in the paint, look for the first field goal to come at the rim. Anthony Edwards can be the man to get the first crack at this defense. He has struggled a little of late, having not reached the 20-point mark in 3 straight games. The visitors will need his offense tonight, so look for them to build his confidence early on. With his athletic ability, he should have no trouble elevating for a finish in the paint.

You can bet on today’s NBA slate at DraftKings Sportsbook, which has thousands of betting options available and a great new customer offer where you can bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your team wins! Click here to sign up for DraftKings.

Pistons vs Cavaliers first basket best bet: Jarrett Allen (+650)

Jarrett Allen has been dominant at winning the opening tip for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has helped his team gain the first possession in 8 of their last 10 games. Even if they fail to do so, they are a top 10 team in terms of defensive rating going up against a team that is 27th in true shooting percentage during that time. They could get multiple attempts at this. The Cavaliers have a couple of very willing passing guards in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. It has helped Allen and Evan Mobley to make the opening bucket 4 combined times over the last 10 games. With James Wiseman not yet establishing himself as a great NBA defender and being relatively new to the Detroit Pistons, do not be surprised to see him targeted in pick-and-rolls early. That would put Allen in great scoring position as the roller to the rim.

BetMGM is the king of online sportsbooks, and right now they have a great new customer promotion where you can claim a $1,000 deposit bonus by signing up right now! Click this link to join BetMGM.

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.

Virginia Bonuses

See All
BetMGM
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Bet on CBB Tournament and get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win + $25 Bonus Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet and get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Plus receive a $25 Bonus Bet after placing your qualifying wager

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, OH, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
FanDuel Sportsbook
Get a $1,000 No Sweat Bet on any CBB Tournament Game!

Sign up for a new FanDuel Sportsbook account

Make a first-time deposit of $10+, and then place your first real-money wager on FanDuel Sportsbook

New customers get their first bet paid back in bonus bets up to $1,000 if you lose!

Must be 21+. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire 14 days after receipt. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook.
DraftKings
Bet $5+ any College Basketball Pre-Game ML And Get $150 in Bonus Bets if your Team Wins

Sign up for a new account with DraftKings Sportsbook and make your first deposit

Make your first deposit and bet $5+ on any pre-game ML

Get $150 in bonus bets if your team wins

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. $150 issued as bonus bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com..
Unibet
Virginia Bettors- Get a $100 Free Bet for the CBB Tournament

Register for a new Unibet account & make a deposit

Place your first bet up to $100 free!

Get refunded up if you lose up to $100

New players only. Terms & conditions apply. 21+. VA only.
bet365
Bet $1 on the CBB Tournament and Get $365 in Bonus Bets at bet365!

Register for a new bet365 account

Place qualifying bets of $1 or more

Get $365 in bonus bets - no matter if your bet wins or loses

New Customer Offer. Deposit required. Bonus Bets added to Bonus Bet Credits balance. Bonus Bet risk excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. Must be physically located in VA.
WynnBet
Bet $100 on the CBB Tournament & Get $100 Bet Credit

Register for a WynnBET account today.

Deposit & Wager $100 on any sports market (odds -120 or greater).

Get a $100 Bet Credit.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
BetRivers
Get a $500 Free Bet for the CBB Tournament

Sign up for a new BetRivers account using promo code PICKSWISE

Make your first deposit & get up to $500 in free bets

To get $500 in free bets, wager $500

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS OFF
Caesars Sportsbook
Your First Cash Bet on the CBB Tournament Is On Caesars Up To $1,250

Sign up for a new Caesars Sportsbook account and Place your 1st wager of $10 or more

If you lose, you get 100% of your stake back as a Bet Credit - up to $1,250.

AND win or lose, you’ll also get 1,000 Reward Credits® and 1,000 Tier Credits.

21+. Terms and conditions apply.
DraftKings
Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus when you bet on the CBB Tournament

Create a new DraftKings Sportsbook account and make your first deposit (min $5)

DraftKings will match 20% of your deposit up to $1,000 total

To get a $100 bonus, deposit $500

21+. Terms & conditions apply.
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win your CBB Tournament Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet up to $1,000!

Get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
TVG
Get Your First Single-Horse Win Wager Back Up to $200 if you don't win

Register for a new TVG account and make a deposit

Place your first single horse win-type bet up to $200

If your horse doesn't win you'll get a refund up to $300

21+. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.
TwinSpires
Get a $200 Sign-Up Bonus with Twinspires Racebook!

Open your TwinSpires.com account using offer code BET200

$200 bonus cash will be credited in increments of $100 for every $400 wagered

To earn the full $200 bonus players must wager $800 within 30 days

21+. Terms and conditions apply.
Underdog Fantasy
First deposit is 100% matched up to $100 with Underdog Fantasy

Sign up for a new account with Underdog Fantasy

Make your first deposit

Every dollar (up to $100) will be matched! Deposit $25, get $50; deposit $100, get $200, etc

Must be 21+ to play. Terms & conditions apply
Owners Box
First Time Deposit Bonus Up To $500

Sign up for a new DFS account with OwnersBox

User's first deposit will be matched up to $500 in site-credit

Join one of their Daily NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL contests

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to receive deposit bonuses, participate in Contests, or win prizes offered through OwnersBox Contests. In jurisdictions, territories, and locations where the minimum age for permissible use of Contests is greater than eighteen (18) years old, you must meet the age requirement in your local jurisdiction or territory.