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 February 26. 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 February 26.
Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.
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NBA First Scorer Props – February 26
Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers
Tipoff – 7:00 pm EST
Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
Broadcast – NBA TV
The Raptors are one of the very best teams in the league when it comes to scoring the first bucket. They rank 4th in the NBA with a 59.7% success rate. That’s despite the fact that they don’t win very many tipoffs. They rank 24th in the NBA in tip win percentage with just a 42.1% win rate. This game will be one of the rare ones where they’ll have a sizable advantage when it comes to the tip. The Pacers have a tip win percentage that’s 7.5% lower. So, with the Raptors likely getting the first possession, they should be an easy pick to win score first.
If we’re looking for someone who can put up the first bucket for the Raptors, how about Immanuel Quickley? He’s taken one of the team’s first shots in each of the last three games. In addition, he’s been hot on the first buckets as of late. In the last two months, he has four first scores for the Raptors. Plus there is the extra enticement of the big number next to his name.
First Scorer Bet for February 26: Immanuel Quickley (+800)
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Chicago Bulls
Tipoff – 8:00 pm EST
United Center – Chicago, IL
Broadcast – NBA TV
The Bulls continue to be the team that we can fade everytime they’re on the court. They rank dead last in tip win percentage and in first bucket scoring rate. In fact, their tip win percentage is less than half of the 29th ranked team in front of them – making it wildly rare for them to get the first possession. With the tip winner getting 65.7% of the first buckets this year, you can take almost anyone against them. The Clippers are an easy enough team to get behind. They have an above average tip win rate and an above average first scorer success rate (52.6% each).
There are three players that have stood out with having an abnormal amount of early shots for the Clippers. If you look at the first three shots taken in each of the last five games, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, and Derrick Jones Jr. stand out as having the most action. However, Powell is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s contest and Jones Jr. has been relegated to a bench role. That leaves just Zubac to take the reins.
First Scorer Bet for February 26: Ivica Zubac (+425)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first scorer bets for February 26, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
