NBA First Basket Prop Pick: Bet Wendell Carter Jr., Paolo Banchero to Score First in Hornets vs. Magic (October 28)

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Pablo Banchero | Wendell Carter Jr.

The Orlando Magic host the Charlotte Hornets Friday night. Wendell Carter Jr (60% opening-tip win rate over the last 2 seasons) will be jumping at center against Mason Plumlee (42% win rate). The two faced off against each other just once in the past two seasons, with Carter Jr. winning the tip.

The Hornets were a much different team last season and scored first 53% of the time. Much of that early game success was due to Miles Bridges (out indefinitely), Terry Rozier (injury) and LaMelo Ball (injury), all of whom are not playing Friday night.

The Magic, meanwhile, were terrible at scoring first baskets last season, getting on the scoreboard first just 39% of the time. In an interesting bit of irony, the four times these two teams played last season, the Magic scored first in three of those contests.

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Although the Magic are 0-5 to start the season, they have won the tip-off in four of the five games and have scored first in all five games. Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs are currently injured, but the Magic's first possessions this season have been dominated by rookie sensation Paolo Banchero. He has scored first in three of the five games this season and is averaging 24 points per game.

The other two primary options for the Magic are Carter Jr. and Franz Wagner. Each of them took the first team field goal attempt over 23% of the time last season, but Carter Jr. was more efficient.

I'll take Banchero's first basketprop (+490) and risk 0.75 units on FanDuel. If you like exact methods, it is a bit of a guess as Banchero has hit a layup, a 3-point shot and a free throw to cash the first basket this season. I'm also grabbing Wendell Carter Jr +600 first basket and risk 0.50 units on FanDuel.

The Pick: Banchero (+490) & Carter Jr. (+600)

Hornets vs. Magic First Basket Data

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