Best NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bets for Today 3/6: Ivey off to explosive start

Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey
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 on Monday night, including an NBA TV double-header. It will see several Eastern Conference teams desperately try and improve their position in the standings ahead of the playoffs. The 8th-seeded Atlanta Hawks will be taking on the 7th-seeded Miami Heat with the teams separated by just 1.5 games. The result of this one could go a long way to determining who would be at home for the first play-in game. Then later, the Toronto Raptors will visit the Denver Nuggets while hoping to keep pace with the earlier mentioned pair.

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.

Head over to DraftKings Sportsbook to bet on these first basket bets. DraftKings has a great new-customer offer where you can bet $5 on ANY team’s money line and get $150 in bonus bets if they win! Click here to claim this great sign-up offer.

Trail Blazers vs Pistons first basket best bet: Jaden Ivey (+750)

With 6’8” Drew Eubanks jumping for the opening possession for the Portland Trail Blazers, the Detroit Pistons should be well positioned to get tonight’s first attempt. With the lack of size on the inside, the Pistons will be looking to attack and finish in the paint from the start. One player that will be in good shape to do that is rookie Jaden Ivey. The explosive guard will be up against Damian Lillard, who has the worst defensive rating of all Trail Blazers starters. If Ivey can get past Lillard off the dribble, there should be little resistance on the inside. Over the last 10 games, the Trail Blazers are 28th in opponent points in the paint. Ivey could be set to benefit from that on Monday.

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.

Pelicans vs Kings first basket best bet: Brandon Ingram (+370)

Brandon Ingram has been on an amazing first basket scoring run for the New Orleans Pelicans. In his last 9 starts he has made the game’s opening field goal on 5 occasions. Domantas Sabonis not being very effective at winning the opening tip for the Sacramento Kings. The Lithuanian has done so just 4 times over his last 10 games. That should help ensure the Pelicans will get the first shot. The Kings are just 29th in defensive rating during that time and could struggle to force a stop. Considering the frequency the visitors have been turning to Ingram to begin games, this looks to be a good value pick.

Raptors vs Nuggets first basket best bet: Jakob Poeltl (+1000)

Jakob Poeltl has taken on the Nikola Jokic in jumping for the opening possession twice this season as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. Considering that he gained his team possession both times should mean he is more than capable of doing that for the Toronto Raptors, too. On the Raptors he is a bigger offensive threat, himself, too. He has upped his points per game average  to 15.1 over his last 9 outings. Do not be surprised to see him utilized in a pick-and-roll situation from the get-go. Fred VanVleet is averaging 10 assists per game over his last 5 games. The point guard should be well positioned to set up Poeltl tonight for the opening bucket.

You can bet on NBA props at FanDuel Sportsbook, which has the best odds available and a great new customer offer where you can get a No Sweat First Bet of up to $1,000! Click here to take advantage of this can’t-miss 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.

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.