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 March 25.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
CHECK OUT THE SPORTS GAMBLING PODCAST’S DAILY BEST BETS
NBA First FG Props – March 25
Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Tipoff – 7:30 pm EST
Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, Ontario
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
Usually I like the Raptors because their surface statistics are so solid. They are second in the NBA in getting the first bucket. However, those numbers have been on a downward skid with Kelly Olynyk on the tip. He’s only winning 36.4% of the tips, which is a full 31% lower than Nic Claxton. With the tip winner getting roughly 64% of all first scores, that’s enough to put the advantage with the Nets.
He didn’t get any early looks in the last game, but Cam Thomas has been a staple of the early action for the Nets. He took both of their first two shots a game before and the first shot the game before that. He only has four first field goals this year, but the action is worth a look anyways.
First FG Bet for March 25: Cam Thomas (+500)
Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz
Tipoff – 9:00 pm EST
Delta Center – Salt Lake City, Utah
Broadcast – NBA League Pass
This is another game with some clear and convincing surface data. The Mavericks rank 3rd in the NBA is first bucket success rate. They’ve scored first 61.4% of the time. The Jazz are dead last in the league at 32.4%. That difference is already enough to like Dallas, but there’s also the tipoff numbers.
The Mavericks have been at a disadvantage on the jump against most teams. They’re 23rd in the league and have succeeded on the first bucket dispite that. The Jazz, however, are one of the teams behind them in tip win percentage – so there’s even more reason to like the Mavericks here.
It is definitely the chalk play, but Luka Doncic has been taking over most of the early game action. He has back-to-back first buckets and you can choose your recent time frame and he has impressive numbers in all of them. Three of the last five, four of the last seven – Doncic has been hot.
First FG Bet for March 25: Luka Doncic (+550)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for March 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.
