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 31.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First FG Props – January 31
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Washington Wizards
Tipoff – 7:00 pm EST
Capital One Arena – Washington, DC
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
There’s not many times that I get behind the Wizards on the first bucket. Their game opening statistics aren’t exactly anything to write home about. They’re winning just 34.8% of the tips and getting just 47.8% of the first field goals. Although the fact that they’re scoring more than their tip percentage is a positive, it’s still not enough to tail them on a regular basis. However, this matchup is a game changer.
The Clippers are one of the few teams that have stats in both categories well below the Wizards. They’re one of three teams behind the Wizards in terms of tip average and are a full 10% lower than the Wizards in terms of first field goal success.
The Wizards don’t have a huge log of first buckets to look back to, but one player shows up early and often throughout. Deni Avdija has 22.7% of their first field goals on the year. He was all over the boards the last game against the Spurs too, which means the put-back chances might materialize as well.
First FG Bet for January 31: Deni Avdija (TBD)
Orlando Magic vs. San Antonio Spurs
Tipoff – 8:00 pm EST
Frost Bank Center – San Antonio, Texas
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
The Magic continue to be one of the easiest teams in the league to fade on the first buckets. They are the only team grabbing the tip in less than 30% of the attempts. With the tip winner already getting roughly 65% of the first buckets, they’re in a massive hole to start. Then you put them up against the Spurs who have 12.8% more first buckets than the Magic do on the year. That should be enough to take someone from the home squad Wednesday.
Of the last three guys to score a first bucket on the Magic, the tallest of them was Max Strus at 6’5″. Even if you peel it back one more, it only goes to 6’7″ Jimmy Butler. In short, their inside presence is encouraging shots from the outside early. At 6’5″, Devin Vassell fits that bill and has been getting plenty of early shots for the squad.
First FG Bet for January 31: Devin Vassell (TBD)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for January 31, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
