The NBA has eight games on Friday night’s scoreboard, with some fun matchups on the board, including a Prime Video double-header that features the Cavs-Mavs at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Wolves-Warriors matchup at 10:00 p.m. ET. With plenty of good plays to check out, DraftKings Sportsbook has plenty of ways to get involved in the many basketball betting 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 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 long shot plays this Friday.
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First Scorer: Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns at Toronto Raptors (+790)
The Suns wiped out the Pacers on Thursday night and will finish their back-to-back with a trip to Toronto for a tilt with the Raptors. The Suns have been one of the best teams in the NBA at winning tip-offs, claiming the first possession in 71.2% of their games this season. The Raptors, on the other hand, have won 40% of tip-offs. Over the last seven games, the Suns have won six tip-offs, while the Raptors have only won three.
If the Suns do win the tip, one option that brings great value is Jalen Green. Green is almost 8:1 but has scored the first basket in two of his last four games. He didn’t score the first bucket in any of his first 14 games of the year but has been more aggressive overall and especially right away in the last week.
Green has at least 24 points in each of his last four games and has helped the Suns win each of those four games against the Pelicans, Hornets, Bucks and Pacers.
The Raptors will be a tough matchup for the second night of the back-to-back in the bigger picture, but as a first scorer prop, Green is a great value play to consider
First Scorer: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors (+440)
Edwards has more first baskets scored than any other player in the action slate this Friday. He has scored the first basket 15 times in his 55 games (27.3%), also the highest mark of any player active on Friday.
Edwards and the Wolves have only won the tip-off in five of their last 15 games, but they’ve still scored the first basket in 10 of those contests. Six of those baskets have come from Edwards, who has been especially aggressive right off the jump over the last few weeks.
While these odds are a little on the shorter side compared to many of the other first basket props available, Edwards still comes at over 4:1 odds, and he definitely has the potential to deliver a quick win in the late game on Prime Video.
