Betting on teams to win basketball games is all well and good, but sometimes you want to sweat a prop bet that's a little more fun. Especially if an early payout frees up your winnings right away to make some live bets or wagers on later games in the slate.
First-basket scorer has become an increasingly popular NBA prop bet, and it's easy to see why. It's pretty straightforward — if your player scores the first basket (field goals only, so free throws don't count) of the game you win.
Here are the top first-basket scorer picks for today's NBA slate on FanDuel Sportsbook's NBA odds for Friday, November 4.
1. Ja Morant (+350): Charlotte Hornets vs Memphis Grizzlies
The opening tip between Steven Adams and Mason Plumlee here is a toss-up. If Memphis is able to come down with the ball or get a stop right away on defense, all eyes turn to Ja Morant. Morant has drained the first basket by either team in three of his seven games played this season. He has also sunk the first Memphis team basket four times. The former Murray State standout is facing a Charlotte squad that is allowing the seventh-most points in the paint per game (53.0) on an opponent two-point shooting percentage of 53.4% (No. 20 in NBA). That means Morant has a perfect opportunity to assert his physicality early with a driving layup.
2. Kevin Durant (+550): Brooklyn Nets vs Washington Wizards
The last few days have been nothing short of crazy for the Brooklyn Nets. Head coach Steve Nash was fired following an underwhelming start to the season and Kyrie Irving was suspended for five games due to an off-the-court issue. Don't overlook the fact that one of the best players in the NBA remains on the roster in Kevin Durant, however. The Nets have won the opening tip in six of their eight games and Durant is back playing in his hometown of Washington, DC on Friday. Seeing him have the ball in his hands right away would not be surprising against a Wizards defense that is giving up the sixth-most points to opposing small forwards.
3. Brandon Ingram (+700): Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans
With odds set at +700, Brandon Ingram is worth taking a risk on. The New Orleans A ll-Star is listed as probable to play tonight after missing the last four games with a concussion. He rejoins a Pelicans team that has won the opening tip in five of its seven contests and is going up against a Warriors team playing its second game in two nights. Golden State has to be at least a bit fatigued, leaving Ingram with an opportunity to use a screen to get up an open look. Keep in mind Ingram has drained the first basket in two of his three games played this year and shot 46.8% from the floor against the Warriors last season.