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 February 25. 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 February 25.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First FG Props – February 25
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards
Tipoff – 6:00 pm EST
Capital One Arena – Washington, DC
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
The Cavaliers have advantages on all the fronts that you’d look for when it comes to first buckets. They are 8th in the league at converting the first field goal – which is a nice step up from the Wizards, who are 17th in the league. The advantage is even more clear when it comes to the tipoff. Cleveland is 2nd in the league on the tip at 70.9%. The Wizards, meanwhile, are 27th in the Association at 33.9%. Those advantages should be enough to lean Cavaliers.
It’s a bit of a chalk play here, but Donovan Mitchell is the clear look. He’s scored four of the last six first buckets for Cleveland. He also has seven of the last twelve first scores for them. When these two teams ran into each other on January 5th, Mitchell scored first then. With all the data pointing in that direction, it’s hard to go another way.
First FG Bet for February 25: Donovan Mitchell (+400)
Chicago Bulls vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Tipoff – 7:00 pm EST
Smoothie King Center – New Orleans, Louisiana
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
The Pelicans are far from being a world beater in terms of the early game statistsics. They’re middle of the pack in terms of both first buckets and tipoff percentage. In fact, they rank 15th in the league in terms of both numbers. Although neither of those instill confidence, the Bulls have terrible numbers. They’re 25th in tipoff percentage and 23rd on the first bucket. Those failures should be enough to fade the Bulls here.
Zion Williamson regularly gets early looks for the Pelicans. In fact, he has a shot in the first three of the Pelicans’ attempts in each of their last three games. This includes plenty of first shots. While we need his make percentage to go up just a bit, I like the bulk approach here.
First FG Bet for February 25: Zion Williamson (+550)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for February 25, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.