On Saturday May 10, we’ve got a playoff double-header over on ABC. The Celtics will look to find their footing as they trail the Knicks 2-0 going into Game 3. Later in the evening, the Timberwolves and Warriors look to break the 1-1 series tie. While each of these series are interesting in their own right, we’re more interested in the NBA first bucket props for the games.
There are plenty of people out there taking stabs in the dark at this stuff, but only one place where you get get legitimate stats that will help you come out in the black. Come check out those figures as we give you our first bucket props for May 10.
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NBA First Bucket Props – May 10
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Tipoff – 3:30 pm EST
Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
Broadcast – ABC
Coming into Game 3, we all expected the Celtics to be dominating. And I don’t just mean in the series, I expected it on the first bucket and tipoffs as well. They had an 11.5% lead when it came to winning the tip in the regular season. They also had a 6.4% lead when it came to scoring the first bucket. However, so far, each of those two metrics are 1-1. Much like I expect in this series, I expect those things to swing back in favor of the Celtics. They are just too good at these things to be even for this long.
If we’re going to get greedy and play an individual player, I have to get behind Jaylen Brown. He’s taken the bulk of the early shots in this series. If you take the first three shots in each of the two games for the Celtics, Brown accounts for half of those shots. Additionally, down big in the series, the Celtics are going to lean on their stars to get back into it. Brown should look to score early and often in this one.
First Bucket Bet for May 10: Jaylen Brown (+500)
Minnesota timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors
Tipoff – 8:30 pm EST
Chase Center – San Francisco, CA
Broadcast – ABC
This series is another that sees both the tip and the first bucket at one a piece. However, the Timberwolves were the better team during the year when it came to winning the tip by a wide margin. They won 10.2% more of the time and were better at finishing their chances as well. So, with everything all square here, we’ll head to Minnesota with a play being that it’s where the metrics are taking us.
For an individual player on Saturday night, I like the longshot. In fact, I’m taking the player with the longest odds on the board. Mike Conley might not be the most prolific scorer, but he has been all over the early shots. In the two games during this series, he took the first shot in one and the second shot in the other. While he’s only taken ten total shots in the series, I like that early volume enough to get this a whirl.
First Bucket Bet for May 10: Mike Conley (+1200)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first bucket bets for May 10, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
