Some people like to sweat out a bet for 48 hard minutes – others like immediate satisfaction. Count us as being in the latter, which is why we like to get down with NBA first FG props. And we’ve decided to pass that knowledge on to you with our first FG bets for December 19. Go here for NBA Championship odds.
Of course, there are plenty out there taking blind guesses at this stuff. It’s easy to pick the most popular player or look at what happened in the last game. However, we spent the time pouring through the analytics to make sure that we give you the best odds to stay in the green on these first FG props for December 19.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First FG Props – December 19
Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Tipoff – 7:30 pm EST
Smoothie King Center – New Orleans, Louisiana
Broadcast – TNT
The numbers on the tip here don’t really separate these two teams. The Grizzlies have a slightly better average with 60.0% compared to 55.6% for the Pelicans. All tips by both teams have been taken by the same person – so there’s really nothing to handicap there either. However, when looking for a side, there is clearly one indicator to look to – the first bucket success. The Grizzlies have transformed that 60.0% success rate on the tips into 64.0% first field goal rate, which shows how good their defense can be early. The Pelicans meanwhile have only managed 34.0% from their 55.6% tips.
You can look for a contrarian play here, but it just isn’t worth it. Jaren Jackson Jr. is the clear go-to for the Grizzlies early. He has four of their last five first buckets – only missing Monday night. He also has eight of their last eleven. The odds aren’t going to be pretty on him, but pretty enough to like the spot.
First FG Bet for December 19: Jaren Jackson Jr. (+425)
Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trailblazers
Tipoff – 10:00 pm EST
Moda Center – Portland, Oregon
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
If you look at the raw data on the early game action, you’ll be inclined to look to the Suns. They have a 5.5% lead on the tips and a 6.0% lead on the first buckets. That might not be a ton, but it is enough for an advantage. However, it leaves out a key factor. The Blazers are putting up way better numbers with Deandre Ayton on the tip. If fact, he has a better percentage than Jusuf Nurkic. Additionally, the Blazers are scoring at a better clip with him in there.
There’s a name you might not expect that has 27.4% of all of the Blazers’ first buckets. He comes in each game at astronomical odds and gets plenty of early shots worth a stab. That man is Toumani Camara. The Belgian rookie has earned his teams’ trust and took two out of the first five shots on Sunday.
First FG Bet for December 19: Toumani Camara (+1300)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for December 19, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
