The NBA has four games on the scoreboard this Monday, with some fun matchups to tip off the week. Even with a limited slate, DraftKings Sportsbook still has plenty of ways to get involved in the many basketball markets. One of the most popular markets lately has been the first point props available for each game. First point plays are all over the most-bet player props, and they can be a great way to get a quick-hitter that delivers a win or loss right away without a long sweat. Finding the first scorer in any contest is a hit that can bring big-time returns, as the odds are all long shots.
As a whole, it’s a very simple market, since it’s just a matter of which player will score the first point in the game. Not much explanation needed!
Let’s take a look at two of the first scorer props that make sense to consider as longshot plays this Monday.
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First Scorer: Keyonte George, Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets (+730)
Of the eight teams on the board this Monday, the Jazz actually have the highest tip win %, which shows how little who wins the tip-off impacts the outcome of the game. It is important for first scorer props, though, since the first possession usually results in the first shot.
George has been the first scorer in seven of his 49 games (16.3%), which is the highest number on the Jazz and the highest percentage of Utah’s available players on Monday.
After missing six games with an ankle injury, George stepped right back into the starting lineup on Saturday and had 17 points on 4-for-11 shooting. He has the second-highest usage rate on the team this season behind only Lauri Markkanen, who is out for Monday’s game against the Nuggets.
George should be the prime option in his second game back from injury, and if he’s assertive off the jump, he can deliver a big win at over 7:1 odds as the first scorer.
First Scorer: Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers (+670)
The Warriors will be without Steph Curry for at least 10 more days, leaving more work for the rest of the roster. With Pat Spencer, Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II (ankle) all getting more work in the backcourt, Moody has become more aggressive on the wing. He’s averaging 9.1 shots per game on the season but has increased that to 11.3 field-goal attempts per game over his last eight.
Moody is averaging 17.6 points per game in those eight games and has a 19.0% usage rate. He has scored the first point in three of his last six games (50%), increasing his numbers for the season to five in 58 games played (8.6%).
With the Clippers on the second night of their back-to-back, they may be a little sluggish, and the Warriors and Moody should have a good chance to be agressive early in their home game to close out Monday night’s slate.
