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 February 2.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First FG Props – February 2
Charlotte Hornets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Tipoff – 8:00 pm EST
Paycom Center – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
The Thunder, behind Chet Holmgren, continue to be one of the very best teams when it comes to the tip. They rank in the top 5 in the league with a 62.5% average. They are a little worse on the first field goal – 54.2%. That still puts them above league average and well above the average of the Hornets. Charlotte ranks 27th in the league on the first score at 39.1%. As a result, we’ll lean to Thunder players on this one.
When you take a quick look at the Thunder’s successes on the first score this year, you’ll see Chet Holmgren’s name on there a lot. However, he’s been getting less looks earlier on in the last few games. That’s benefitted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who is getting more of those shots – particularly in the paint. Let’s get one of those to fall here.
First FG Bet for February 2: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+450)
Portland Trailblazers vs. Denver Nuggets
Tipoff – 9:00 pm EST
Ball Arena – Denver, Colorado
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
The data here is clear and leans to the Nuggets. Firstly, they’re nearly 10% better on the tip – with the Nuggets getting 49.0% of the jumps and the Blazers getting 39.8%. They also have been much better on scoring the first buckets. They currently rank 8th in the NBA on the first field goal at 55.1%. The Blazers, meanwhile, are 28th in the league at 37.5%. It might be concerning knowing the Nikola Jokic is questionable, but he sat out the last game and they scored the first bucket anyways.
In the last three games, one guy who keeps showing up the play-by-play early in the game. Michael Porter Jr. has taken one of the first three shots in each of the last three games. Twice those were layups, which means he’s getting high percentage shots. Let’s expect one to fall here.
First FG Bet for February 2: Michael Porter Jr. (+750)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for February 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.
