NBA Best First Basket Bets Today – June 11

The NBA Finals continue tonight between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 3 will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. 

The Thunder tied the series at 1-1 on Sunday with a 123-107 win at home.

Thunder point guard and NBA regular-season MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, led all scorers with 34 points.

Oklahoma City remains the heavy favorite to win the Finals at -650 odds (FanDuel) and is a five-point favorite in Game 3. The points total for the matchup is set at 228.5.

We’ve provided longshot picks below for one player on each team to score the first basket.

Make sure to bet responsibly and monitor your bankroll.

Note: Odds were correct at the time of writing.

Luguentz Dort (+1200) at bet365

The “DORTURE CHAMBER” is known for his defensive prowess and certainly not for his scoring abilities, yet, he’s attempted the first shot of games this season at a 14.6% rate.

This is the second-highest rate of any player on both teams behind Chet Holmgren (18.4%), and it includes the postseason.

It hasn’t been long since Dort attempted the first shot for Oklahoma City. In Game 1, after Chet Holmgren won the tip, Dort missed a 29-footer from downtown. 

The Arizona State product hasn’t made a first basket in the playoffs yet, but he made five in 71 regular-season games (7% first-basket rate).

According to BestOdds First Basket Pro, Dort made 18% of the Thunder’s first baskets during the regular season, which isn’t too far behind Holmgren (28%), Jalen Williams (22%) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (20%).

The 26-year-old Dort plays both shooting guard and small forward and primarily finds his scoring from three-point range.

Indiana allowed 25% of its first baskets during the regular season to shooting guards, which was the second-most behind centers (29%).

During the playoffs, it has surrendered 40% of its first baskets to small forwards, tied for the most with point guards (40%).

Thunder big man Chet Holmgren (7-foot-1) is slated to compete for the opening tip against Myles Turner (6-foot-11) and holds the height advantage over him.

Holmgren has won both tips against him so far in the Finals and is 3-1 against him over the course of the past two campaigns.

The +1200 odds on bet365 are certainly a bargain compared to other bookmakers, as shown below in the table.

Odds Comparison for Luguentz Dort First Basket

Sportsbook	Odds
bet365	+1200
FanDuel	+1000
DraftKings	+1000
Hard Rock Bet	+1000
Caesars	+950
BetMGM	+825

Note: Remember to double-check the first basket rules at your bookmaker.

Aaron Nesmith (+1200) at FanDuel

This pick is certainly more of a flyer, but the +1200 odds also showcase value with every other book listing him at shorter odds.

During the playoffs, Nesmith has made two first baskets in 18 games (11% first basket rate), which is tied for the most with teammates Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard.

Nesmith is primarily a three-point shooter like Dort, but he has been the fourth scoring option for the Pacers and has averaged 13.8 points per game during the playoffs. He’s even hit double-digit points in 8 of his last 10 games (80%).

With the Thunder attempting to shut down Haliburton with Lu Dort, he could kick one out to Nesmith to start the game.

Indiana also doesn’t have a “dominant” first basket scorer, so the +1200 odds showcase value. 

Odds Comparison for Aaron Nesmith First Basket

Sportsbook	Odds
FanDuel	+1200
DraftKings	+1000
bet365	+1000
Caesars	+950
BetMGM	+950
Hard Rock Bet	+750