NBA First Basket Prop Odds & Picks: Bet Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges in Suns vs. Pelicans (December 9)

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Suns vs.

Pelicans

First Basket Prop Odds & Picks: Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges

The New Orleans Pelicans will host the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. Jonas Valanciunas (48% opening-tip win rate) will be jumping center against Deandre Ayton (67% win rate). These two centers have squared off eight times over the past two seasons, with Ayton winning the tip in all eight games.

The Suns were above average at scoring first last season, but have struggled this season, scoring first in only 44% of their games. Much of that was due to their inefficiency when Cameron Payne was starting for the injured Chris Paul. With Paul back in the starting lineup for the Suns, they have scored first 73% of the time this season. The Pelicans, conversely, have scored first in 63% of their games this season.

There is a high probability that either Ayton or Mikal Bridges will take the first shot for Phoenix, as one of the pair have taken the first shot in 48% of Suns games this season. Devin Booker took and made first shot in the Suns' game against Pelicans earlier this season.

I'll take Ayton first basketprop (+430) and risk 0.6 units on Caesars and I'm also grabbing Bridges (+750) first scorer at 0.4 units on FanDuel. Both players have performed well against the Pels over the past two seasons and I expect the same success tonight.

The Picks: Ayton +430 (0.6u, play down to +325) | Bridges (+750 0.4u, play down to +600)

Suns vs. Pelicans First Basket Data

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