My First-Basket Pick for BetMGM’s NBA Second-Chance Offer

The first-basket market in the NBA just got a lot more interesting.

The BetMGM online sportsbook is now 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 (+675)

Friday’s ESPN showdown between the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs is an interesting battle in the first-basket market. These two teams post some of the highest tip-winning rates in the league.

• Grizzlies 78%
• Spurs 71.8%

Victor Wembanyama’s 7-foot-4 frame gives the Spurs the edge on Friday, but the markets reflect that. Wembanyama (+400) and Devin Vassell (+600) are two of the top-three favorites in the latest first-field goal scorer odds.

Memphis’ Desmond Bane offers better odds (+675) despite notching the first basket in 25% of his games this season.

For the debut of this promotion, I will back Bane at +650 or better.