NBA First Basket Props Today 5/16 - Expert Picks & Best Bets | Pickswise

And then there were 4 left. The NBA Conference Finals are set to begin tonight in Denver as the Lakers and Nuggets square off at Ball Arena. I’ve prepared a First Basket Scorer Prop Bet for Game 1.

Don’t forget to visit our NBA Predictions page for picks on the side and total for Game 1 of Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics as well.

Let’s dive into my bets now!

Lakers vs Nuggets first basket best bet: Austin Reaves (+1200)

The series opener is all about pace, if the Lakers are able to get off to a hot start it will be difficult for the Nuggets to keep up, as it was for both the Grizzlies and Warriors in Game 1s of their previous 2 rounds. I have Anthony Davis winning the opening tip as Nikola Jokic isn’t exactly the most athletic of centers out there. AD won 2 of the 3 opening tips during the regular season, while Thomas Bryant also beat Jokic in the 4th and final meeting when AD didn’t play. At +1200 odds I really like Austin Reaves to score the first basket.

Denver has allowed a team-high 27% of first team field goals from the SG position, which is exactly what Reaves plays. When he started, Reaves has attempted 23% of the Lakers’ first team field goals and in the last 10 games he’s scored it once. With him averaging the 4th highest points per game this postseason run, I think the Lakers will want to get him going early in Game 1. He had some really solid showings vs the Nuggets during the regular season shooting 55% from the field and 50% from three. He was also the team’s 2nd leading scorer in the series-clinching win over Golden State with 23 points, so let’s hope he can continue his solid play here.

Check out our full game preview for Game 1 of LA Lakers vs Denver Nuggets.

Pickswise is the home of free NBA Picks and NBA Predictions. Check out the latest NBA Prop Bets and NBA Parlays as well as NBA Best Bets from our NBA experts.