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 November 19. 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 November 19.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First Scorer Props – November 19
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Dallas Mavericks
Tipoff – 8:30 pm EST
American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
Broadcast – NBA TV
This game is not as far apart in terms of the data as I usually like to play. In fact, the Mavericks are 14.3% better on the tipoff than the Pelicans are. However, there is one thing I do like about this play – the defense of New Orleans. The Pelicans have nearly twice as many first scores as they do tip wins. In over half of the games they’ve played, they’ve stopped their opponents from scoring on the first possession. They have one of the three best differentials between expected first scores and actual. With that being the case, I’ll take them here.
While it might be a little chalky, Brandon Ingram is really the only answer for New Orleans. With Zion Williamson being out, the bulk of the scoring has landed on his shoulders. CJ McCollum is also on the shelf for today’s game. With those two out of the way, Ingram is averaging seven shots a game more than the next highest shooter. He’s also averaging seven points a game more than the next best. Not only is the action higher, but a lot of it comes early in the game as well.
First Scorer Bet for November 19: Brandon Ingram (+500)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
Tipoff – 9:30 pm EST
Frost Bank Center – San Antonio, TX
Broadcast – TNT
This should be the easiest tipoff of the day. Not only is Victor Wembanyama one of the top guys in the league when it comes to tips, but he’s also going up against a guy who isn’t getting any of them – literally. Wemby has won 75.0% of the tips he’s taken this year.
Jalen Williams has been taking the tips in the absense of Chet Holmgren. At just 6’6″, he isn’t going to be winning many tips. On the year, he’s gotten four chances and has yet to get one. The team has also managed only one first score since he’s taken the reigns. With that trend and Wembanyama standing across from him, we have to go with someone from San Antonio.
The Spurs have scored first eleven times this year. 27.3% of those times belong to the same player – Julian Champagnie. In the last five games, he’s taken one of the first three shots three times. Combine that with his inflated odds for not having the most attempts on his team, and I love this spot for him.
First Scorer Bet for November 19: Julian Champagnie (+850)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first scorer bets for November 19, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
