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 9.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First FG Props – February 9
Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics
Tipoff – 7:30 pm EST
TD Garden – Boston, Massachusetts
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
The Celtics hold a marked advantage when it comes to the early game statistics here. They currently rank second in the league on the first bucket with a 64.7% success rate. The Wizards are coming in at the middle of the pack at just 50.0%. That might be enough to lean to the Celtics on it’s own, but we also have overwhelming jumpball data.
The Celtics are again one of the best teams in the league on the jump at 68.6% (good for 4th overall. Meanwhile, the Wizards have managed to win just 34.0% of tips and traded away their usual jumpball guy at the deadline. With the tip winner getting the first bucket at about a 65% clip, you have to lean to a Celtics player.
The run of early shots for the Celtics in the last two games has been the same. Both of their first two shots have gone to Kristaps Porzingis and the third went to Al Horford. Either would be decent plays here, but I’m going to lean to the chalkier option in Porzingis.
First FG Bet for February 8: Kristaps Porzingis (+320)
Charlotte Hornets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Tipoff – 8:00 pm EST
Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
The home squad should have all the advantages in this one come Friday night. They have a 53.9% success rate on the first bucket, which dwarfs the 38.0% rate that the Hornets carry. The Hornets rank 28th in the league in that category. The Bucks also have an 11.7% advantage on tip wins, and that should be enough to deal with their sometimes questionable early shot selection.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo might be the name you’re expecting here, he’s not the one taking the most early shots. Surprisingly, it’s been Malik Beasley as of late. He’s taken one of the first three shots in three straight games. In two of those games, he’s had two of the first three shots. Let’s take that momentum and ride this number.
First FG Bet for February 8: Malik Beasley (+750)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for February 9, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
