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 20.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
Go here for daily free NBA picks!
NBA First FG Props – January 20
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Chicago Bulls
Tipoff – 8:00 pm EST
United Center – Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
The outlook for the Bulls is typically a bad one. In fact, if you look at the pure stats here, it would be crazy to take the Bulls. They’re clearly behind in both the first bucket stats and the tipoff averages. However, since returning from injury Nikola Vucevic has looked much better on the tip. He’s won 50% of his tips in that time and beat guys with solid tip averages in Alperen Sengun and Kevon Looney. Jaren Jackson Jr. is definitely a stiffer test, but with the Grizzlies getting 15% less first buckets than they win tips, I think the Bulls might be worth a stab here.
While I think the Bulls can score first, they are banged up a bit here. Zach LaVine has been ruled out. In addition, three of Chiacgo’s big pieces are game time decisions – Patrick Williams. Andre Drummond, and Ayo Dosunmu. That does leave the man who has taken their first shot two games in a row. Coby White is getting the early action and will have a fat number next to his name on Saturday.
First FG Bet for January 20: Coby White (+950)
Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets
Tipoff – 8:00 pm EST
Toyota Center – Houston, Texas
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
I already rode with one sub-par team on the early stats and I’m going to do it again here with the Rockets. However, the big difference is that they’re actually the far superior team in terms of the stats. They hold a 14.8% lead over the Jazz in terms of first field goals. They also share a 7.7% lead in terms of tipoffs. Those leads are good enough for me to ride with Houston here.
Two players have dominated the early shots for the Rockets. Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green are getting an inordinate number of early shots, especially for where their odds fall. Green took the first shot in the last game and came up empty, so we’ll change the target and go with sophomore to get busy here.
First FG Bet for January 20: Jabari Smith Jr. (+800)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for January 20, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
