NBA First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Picks & Predictions: Sunday (1/29)

First baskets are always fun because it’s a big payoff if you hit them. Let’s see who is grabbing the first score on the Sunday slate.

Sunday’s Best First Basket Scorer Bets

Brook Lopez (+800)

The Bucks had been playing inconsistently as of the late and, as a result, have dropped out of the No. 2 seed. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton had been dealing with injuries, but with both back in the lineup, they’ve won five of the last six.

Speaking of injuries to their stars, that is what the Pelicans are dealing with. They are 3-10 since Zion Williamson has been sidelined with a foot injury and has lost seven straight.

The lack of a big presence has resulted in New Orleans losing eight of their last ten tip-offs. This is also why I like Lopez on the first basket.

Myles Turner (+700)

With a good portion of their starting lineups sidelined, including Danny Green, Steve Adams, and Desmond Bane, they went from winning 11 straight to losing five in a row.

That will hurt them in this game against Indiana overall, and it will start from the tip-off. Without Steve Adams trying the grab the tip, they’ve lost three of the last five tip-offs.

Turner has had three first team baskets over their last five games and has the most shots in the team’s first three attempts.

Bam Adebayo (+420)

The Heat have turned it around recently by going 17-8 over their last 25 games and moving up to the sixth seed. The defense has been this team’s nucleus with the fourth-best Adjusted Defensive Rating.

They’re getting a favorable matchup against the bottom-feeder Hornets, who have lost seven of their last ten.

Charlotte lacks a low post presence that will play out well for Adebayo. Miami will feed him the ball from the beginning to allow him to grab the first basket and put up a great stat line.