The first-basket market in the NBA just got a lot more interesting.
The BetMGM online sportsbook is offering an NBA Second Chance promotion every Friday for the rest of the 2024-25 season.
A bettor will get their wager back if a player they placed a straight bet on to score the first basket of the game ends up scoring the second field goal instead.
For example:
- Bettor places a $10 wager on LeBron James to score the first basket.
- James scores the second field goal.
- Bettor receives $10 (withdrawable unrestricted funds).
With that in mind, here’s my favorite first-basket scorer prediction based on the latest NBA odds:
My First-Basket Pick for BetMGM’s NBA Second-Chance Offer
Desmond Bane – Memphis Grizzlies (+575)
For Friday’s matchup between the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies, I like Desmond Bane’s +575 odds to score the game’s first basket.
Memphis has the edge in tip-offs, winning it 75.9% of the time compared to New York’s clip of 44.8%. Bane has been responsible for 25.5% of the Grizzlies’ first baskets this season, which leads the team.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is the betting favorite in this market at +425, but I prefer Bane’s value at +550 or better.
Related Articles
NBA Odds at BetMGM
Take your NBA experience to the next level with daily NBA odds at BetMGM!
Whether you’re a first-time bettor browsing moneylines for the New York Knicks, a casual basketball fan building parlays, and a longtime diehard breaking down shooting trends for Steph Curry prop bets, there are odds for everyone.
If you don’t have a sportsbook account, register today with BetMGM’s welcome bonus. And check back for the best sportsbook promotions each day of the year.
