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 scorer props. And we’ve decided to pass that knowledge on to you with our first scorer bets for October 30. 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 scorer props for October 30.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First Scorer Props – October 30
Detroit Pistons vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Tipoff – 7:00 pm EST
Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
Broadcast – NBA TV
On the year, we are seeing some pretty ugly tip numbers from these two teams. In 7 combined games, they have combined to win just two tips (one of them for each). With neither having a clear advantage it might seem hard to figure out just who to gravitate towards with the first bucket. However, the data on that side is far more convincing. In the four games the Pistons have played, they have scored first in three of them. So not only did they score first when they won the tip, but they have in two of the three games they’ve lost it. It’s the opposite for the 76ers, who haven’t scored first yet in any of the games they’ve played – including in the game where they managed to grab a tip.
For this play, I’m going to go down the ballot a little bit to a big man I like. Jalen Duren hasn’t been the most active of all players early in the game, but the 76ers give up a lot of their offense in the paint. They currently rank 24th in the NBA in points in the paint allowed. On the outside, their defense is much better. They’re allowing just 29.7% of their points on three-pointers – which puts them in 7th place in the league. With the Pistons not really having another big threat inside, let’s go with Duren at a solid price.
First Scorer Bet for October 30: Jalen Duren (+850)
Brooklyn Nets vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Tipoff – 8:00 pm EST
FedExForum – Memphis, TN
Broadcast – NBA TV
So far this year, the Nets are one of just two teams that have not won a tip (the Bulls being the other). To make matters worse heading into this game, the their main tip guy – Nic Claxton – will not be available. As a result, they’ll likely use a banged up Ben Simmons, who has won just 25% of his tips over the last two seasons. The Grizzlies already had one of the best jump guys in the league last year in Jaren Jackson, but now he’s not even the best on his team. Zach Edey will get tip duties, of which he’s won three of four on the year.
In looking for a spot on this Grizzlies roster, I’m going right back into the paint. Brooklyn is already banged up when it comes to big men and they, like the 76ers, are great at defending the three-point line. They rank 6th in percentage of points allowed via three-pointers this year. They’re also coming off a game where they allowed 56 points in the paint. Edey, like Duren, hasn’t been the most active offensively early in the game. However, with Noah Clowney likely playing defense on him, or Simmons for that matter, I like his chances to stuff one in early.
First Scorer Bet for October 29: Zach Edey (+1000)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first scorer bets for October 30, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
