Germantas Kneita
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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