There are seven NBA games on the Wednesday, Jan. 21 slate, which features the two top teams in the league: the 31-10 Detroit Pistons and the 36-8 Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, I’m looking elsewhere for my four NBA first basket props for tonight, starting with a rivalry game between the Nets and Knicks.
Let’s dig into my best NBA first basket bets today.
NBA First Basket Bets for Wednesday, January 21
All basketball odds used for tonight’s NBA first basket prop bets are current as of Wednesday, Jan. 21, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Nets vs Knicks First Basket: Michael Porter Jr. (+465)
The Nets win the opening tip 65.9% of the time, which leads all teams on tonight’s slate, including their opponent, the Knicks, who win it 53.5% of the time.
Porter Jr. has attempted the first basket 24.2% of the time and has made seven of them, which accounts for 21.2% of the games he’s started. He leads the Nets in first basket shots made.
The Knicks allow opponents to shoot 37.5% from 3-point range (27th), which is where I’ll be watching Porter Jr. tonight.
I’m backing Brooklyn’s leading scorer with my NBA pick of the day.
Cavaliers vs Hornets First Basket: Brandon Miller (+920)
Miller is next up for my NBA player prop bets in the first basket department.
While he has +920 odds, Miller is a great spot to score the first points of this game. The Hornets win the opening tip 46.5% of the time, and he attempts the first shot of Hornets games 38.5% of the time.
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He’s made seven first baskets this season, which accounts for 26.9% of the games he’s started and is the most on the Hornets.
Finally, Miller attempts eight 3-pointers per game, and the Cavaliers allow the highest 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA (38.6%).
Pacers vs Celtics First Basket: Neemias Queta (+660)
Of all the players on tonight’s slate, Queta is tied for the most first baskets made with eight.
The Celtics win the opening tip 47.6% of the time, which is slightly lower than the Pacers’ 52.3%. Still, if the Queta gets the ball in his hands, he’s made the first basket in 20% of the games he’s started and leads Boston in first baskets made.
Queta attempts 6.5 2-point shots per game, and the Pacers allow opponents to shoot 56.9% on such shots (26th in the NBA).
Consider this wager with our best sportsbook promos.
Raptors vs Kings First Basket: Brandon Ingram (+575)
For the last of my NBA first basket bets, I’ll take a swing on Ingram.
He has started 43 games for the Raptors this season. While he has only attempted the first shot in 9.3% of Toronto’s contests, he has made the first shot six times, which represents 14% of the games he’s started.
Also, not only does Ingram lead Toronto in first baskets, but the Raptors as a team have made the first basket 27 times, which is tied for the most on this slate.
Ingram shoots 51.6% on 12.3 2-point attempts per game, and the Kings allow opponents to shoot 58.6% from inside the arc (28th).
