One of the 10 NBA matchups on the slate Monday night features the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors.
The headline heading into this game is the comment Warriors star Jimmy Butler made regarding the team’s defense, saying, “We’re just not guarding nobody,” among other things.
Tonight, the 9-9 Warriors take on a Jazz team that, when examining NBA first basket props, has won the opening tip 87.5% of the time.
Below, I’ll list my four favorite options for first basket bets, including a player from that Jazz-Warriors matchup.
NBA First Basket Bets for Monday, November 24
All basketball odds used for tonight’s NBA first basket prop bets are current as of Monday, Nov. 24, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Jazz vs. Warriors First Basket: Lauri Markkanen (+550)
Of the matchups on the slate tonight, no team wins the opening tip more than the Jazz. This season, they’ve won it 87.5% of the time, leading to many first possessions.
As for Markkanen, he’s started 16 games, has attempted the first shot 25% of the time, and has made five of them.
Markkanen is shooting 38.4% from beyond the arc and 56% on 2-point shots.
Back the Utah big man to score the first basket against the Warriors as your NBA pick of the day.
Cavaliers vs. Raptors First Basket: De’Andre Hunter (+630)
Starting 15 games this season, Hunter has attempted the first shot in 20% of the Cavaliers’ games. Of that 20%, he’s made the first shot on four occasions.
Additionally, the Cavaliers win the opening tip 66.7% of the time, putting them and Hunter in a great spot to have the opening possession.
The Raptors allow teams to shoot 56.6% (23rd) from 2-point range, and Hunter is shooting 58% on such shots.
Knicks vs. Nets First Basket: Michael Porter Jr. (+528)
Porter Jr. is averaging 8.6 3-point attempts per game and shooting 38%.
The Knicks allow opponents to shoot 39.1% from beyond the arc, which ranks 27th in the NBA.
The Nets win the opening tip 62.5% of the time, and Porter Jr. has attempted the first shot in 20% of the Nets’ games, making three of them.
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Mavericks vs. Heat First Basket: Norman Powell (+547)
To close out my NBA player prop bets in this department is Powell.
The Heat’s opening tip percentage is the lowest on this list so far at 58.8%, but it’s worth noting that their opponent, the Mavericks, only wins it 38.9% of the time.
Powell has attempted the first shot in 28.6% of Miami’s games, making four of them.
Of all the players in this matchup, no one has made more first baskets than Powell.
