On Friday, Nov. 7, the NBA is back in full swing with 11 games on the slate after just one matchup on Thursday night.
One highlight matchup features the Sacramento Kings hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder, just days after OKC suffered its first loss of the season: a 121-119 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers.
That game capped a brutal stretch for the Thunder, who were playing their third contest in four nights. The fatigue showed late, as Portland outscored them 40-33 in the fourth quarter.
With a loaded schedule and all matchups serving as NBA Cup Group Stage action, I’m breaking down my favorite NBA first basket bets for Friday night, including a superstar option from the Thunder.
NBA First Basket Bets for Friday, November 7
All basketball odds used for tonight’s NBA first basket prop bets are current as of Friday, Nov. 7, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Thunder vs. Kings First Basket: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+292)
For the first of my NBA first basket bets, I have to look toward SGA.
This season, the Thunder star is averaging 33.3 points per game and shooting 57.2% on 2-point shots and 35.3% from 3-point range.
Here, he’ll be taking on a Kings defense that is allowing opponents to shoot 61.3% on 2-point shots (tied for second-worst) and 38.9% (seventh-worst) over their last three games.
We all know SGA will have the ball in his hands early and often, making this my NBA pick of the day.
Cavaliers vs. Wizards First Basket: Evan Mobley (+495)
The Wizards are one of the worst teams in the NBA, but over their last three games, they’ve been especially dreadful defending the 2-point shot.
Over that span, opponents have shot 61.3% from inside the arc. And in their last game, the Boston Celtics shot an eye-popping 66.7% from 2-point range.
Tonight, Washington takes on Cleveland and Evan Mobley, who leads the Cavaliers in 2-point attempts (9.9) per game and is shooting 51.9%.
The shooting percentage may not be as high as I’d like, but given how bad the Wizards have been, it’s worth a shot.
Pistons vs. Nets First Basket: Duncan Robinson (+1200)
Next up in my series of four NBA first basket props, I’m taking a chance on Duncan Robinson.
So far this season, no player on the Pistons attempts more 3-point shots than Robinson (6.5), and he’s shooting a respectable 40.4% from beyond the arc.
In this game, he’s taking on a Brooklyn Nets team that’s allowing opponents to shoot 42% from beyond the arc, which is the highest mark in the league.
Back the Detroit sharpshooter to open the scoring tonight with our best sports betting promos for 2025.
Raptors vs. Hawks First Basket: Jalen Johnson (+575)
To round out this series of NBA player prop bets, I’m looking to the odds-on favorite in the Raptors-Hawks game.
Johnson is attempting 12.1 2-point shots per game and is shooting 64.7% from that range.
His opponent, the Raptors, are allowing opponents to shoot 59% from 2-point range, setting Johnson up nicely to get an early bucket.
