The NBA returns post All-Star break tonight, with teams looking to make one last push for the postseason. That should be fully evident in the second game of the TNT double header tonight as the Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams are outside of the top 6 in their conference and will be hoping that tonight they can start a run that will get them back into that mix. With the West getting considerably stronger post trade deadline, neither team can really afford a loss. Check out the first basket scorer prop I have picked out for that game below. And do not forg et to take a look at the rest of our NBA predictions too.
Brandon Ingram has been a first bucket making machine for the New Orleans Pelicans. In his last 8 starts for the team, he has knocked down the games first shot on 5 occasions. That sort of trend is too hard to ignore. He has upped his efficiency over the last 10 games, making just above 49% of his field goals. Up against a Raptors team that is just average defensively, ranking 16th in defensive rating over the last 10 games, he will have a great chance to keep his run going. He will be helped by the fact that Jonas Valanciunas has been dominant winning tip offs, having gained possession in 8 of their last 10 games. Expect that to continue here.
The Detroit Pistons have been struggling to win the tip of late, having done so just twice over their last 10 games. They are unlikely to improve on that tonight against an Orlando Magic team that has Wendell Carter Jr. jumping for the ball. Over the last 10 games the Pistons are also just 21st in defensive rating, which should give the Magic a great chance of knocking down the games first basket. Look for Paolo Banchero to be the man to do that. During that stretch no Magic player has made the teams first basket as often as the rookie. The Pistons should also have issues matching up with his size, giving him an advantage in the post. Look for the hosts to try and establish him early in this game.
Anthony Davis has been doing it all for the Los Angeles Lakers. He has helped the Lakers win the tip in 8 of their last 10 games, going on to make the first field goal for the team in 5 of those contests. 3 of them happen to be the first basket of the game overall. No other Laker tops him in either category. The Warriors should be a favourable opponent for him tonight. Kevon Looney is relatively undersized which should help the Lakers gain possession to start the game. The Warriors lack of size will also likely make Davis a focal point from the get-go. The hosts are just 23rd in defensive rating over the last 10 games. They are also 23rd in opponent points in the paint during that stretch. Look for the Lakers to work the ball inside to Davis from the very beginning in this one.