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 29.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First FG Props – December 29
Sacramento Kings vs. Atlanta Hawks
Tipoff – 7:30 pm EST
State Farm Arena – Atlanta, Georgia
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
This may be one of the worst matchups when it comes to the tip on the year. Clint Capela is winning 27.6% of tips for the Hawks. Domantas Sabonis is winning the exact same number for the Kings. They are two of the very worst in the league, so how do you look to a first bucket on this one? The difference comes in the conversion thanks to defense. The Kings defense and shot selection has held up and put them seventh in the league in first buckets.
In two of the last three games, Domantas Sabonis has taken all four of the first four shots for the Kings. Some of those are rebounds of his own shots, but still, that’s an insane quantity of early shots. Because he gets them close to the hoop most of the time, the percentage is also high, so I like him to convert.
First FG Bet for December 29: Domantas Sabonis (+475)
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Tipoff – 10:30 pm EST
crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, California
Broadcast – NBA TV
If you’re taking a look at the best jump guys in the league, you won’t have to look much further than Jaren Jackson Jr. Amongst players with at least 25 jumps on the year, he ranks fourth in tip percentage. On the other end of that spectrum is Ivica Zubac, who is bottom five in that same category. The Grizzlies are also a top five team in the league in converting first field goals, so they should be the frontrunner here.
While Jaren Jackson Jr. himself has been a gold mine on the year, there’s another name I’m digging for Friday. Desmond Bane has been getting a ton of early looks. He’s taken one of their first three shots in each of their last three games. He doesn’t have a first bucket to show for it, but I like his chances of hitting from deep here.
First FG Bet for December 29: Desmond Bane (+600)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for December 29, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
