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 January 2. 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 January 2.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First FG Props – January 2
Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors
Tipoff – 10:00 pm EST
Chase Center – San Francisco, California
Broadcast – NBA TV
The Magic were a team who I loved to bank on when Wendell Carter Jr. was on the tip. He was hot early and, even though he’s cooled off a bit, is still getting tipoffs at a 60.0% clip. However, they’ve moved him to the bench and promoted Goga Bitadze to the starting lineup – and, as a result, the tipoff. On the season, Bitadze has won 13.6% of the tips he’s had. That number would put him at half the average of the worst team in the league. When you combine that with the shooting of the Warriors, you have to lean to Golden State here.
Jonathan Kuminga is pretty much only in the lineup in the place of the absent Draymond Green. However, he’s found himself open plenty of times in the early game over the last three. He had four of their first ten points in Sunday’s game, so let’s ride with him here.
First FG Bet for January 2: Jonathan Kuminga (+500)
Charlotte Hornets vs. Sacramtento Kings
Tipoff – 10:00 pm EST
Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, California
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
You might look at the 25.8% tip percentage of the Kings – worst in the league – and assume that we should always lean away from them. However, their defense has held up extremely well early in the game. As a result, they actually have a 58.0% in the first field goal, which is good for seventh in the league. The Hornets might be noticably better on the tip, but are not converting anything. Their 38.7% first bucket percentage is good for 27th in the NBA.
Going into Monday night’s game, the last four first buckets conceded by the Hornets had been to big men. Their are only two guys who have taken one of the first three shots for the Kings in more than one of the last three games; De’Aaron Fox – who is notably not a big man – and Domantas Sabonis.
First FG Bet for January 2: Domantas Sabonis (+370)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for January 2, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.