Ricky Dimon
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The 2021-22 NBA postseason is here. It’s not quite the traditional playoffs, but the play-in tournament offers plenty of interest – especially with the Brooklyn Nets involved. Brooklyn is going up against the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference’s No. 7 seed on Tuesday, while the 7th spot in the West will be determined by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers.
Let’s take a look at the 2 best first-basket bets for Tuesday’s play-in schedule.
Cavaliers vs Nets – Kyrie Irving +600
The Nets can be expected to have the first possession in their home date with the Cavaliers on Tuesday. Andre Drummond will be jumping for Brooklyn and he is one of the better tipoff men in the NBA. Drummond won 29 of 44 tips during the regular season (65.9 percent). He will be opposed by Cleveland center Evan Mobley, whose rookie campaign has been outstanding for the most part. However, he has been far from excellent in the department of jump balls. The former USC standout comes in at 48.3 percent (14 for 29).
Needless to say, the tipoff is the most important factor that should be looked at when deciding on first-basket bets. Obviously players on whichever team gains possession are going to have by far the best opportunities. Assuming the Nets have the ball first, Irving may be the one to take advantage. So far in April he has exceeded the 30-point mark in 3 of the last 5 contests. In the penultimate game of the regular season he attempted a shot 36 seconds following tipoff and in the finale he scored 1 minute and 15 seconds into the game.
Check out our Cavaliers vs Nets preview
Clippers vs Timberwolves – Anthony Edwards +700
This Clippers-Timberwolves matchup is another case of the tipoff being a key component. Karl-Anthony Towns will be lining up for Minnesota and he has won 45 of 93 jumps this season (48.4 percent). That may be unspectacular, but it’s better than Los Angeles big man Ivica Zubac (38.2 percent after winning only 34 and losing 55). It’s no surprise that Towns beat out Zubac in 2 of 3 head-to-head opening jumps during the regular season.
If Minnesota corrals the ball off the tip, don’t be surprised if Edwards becomes the beneficiary. In 2 of his last 3 full games (not including an 18-minute appearance in the regular-season finale), the former No. 1 overall pick scored 33 and 49 points. He is brimming with confidence at the moment. In 4 meetings with the Clippers so far in 2021-22, Edwards is averaging 23.5 ppg on
46.3 percent shooting from the floor.
Check out all of our NBA previews and picks for the play-in round
If you want to go really big, an Irving-Edwards parlay pays out at +5500!
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