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If you tailed us on Zubac last night, whether or not you cashed depends on both the sportsbook you wagered at and the type of bet you made. If you bet on FanDuel, free throws should’ve satisfied your first basket wager. If you bet on DraftKings, they probably didn’t. If you bet “first field goal” on either, your ticket was a loser. For tracking purposes, we’ll log Zubac’s free throws as half a win (+2.75 units). Better than nothing, I suppose. I still need 1.5 more wins to keep from having to run 10 miles in jeans. Onward.
For today’s NBA first basket pick, we’re rolling with Darius Garland at . I hate free throws.
Why Darius Garland for NBA First Basket vs. the Suns
Darius Garland is one of the better-priced first basket options on tonight’s Clippers-Suns board (9:00 p.m. ET, Phoenix). The Clippers are without Brandon Ingram and Bradley Beal, so their early offense will likely run through Garland. He’s coming off 24 points and 10 assists against the Pelicans, with 14 points by halftime. He’s also been hot from three: 7-of-13 over his last two games, nearly seven attempts a night, and at least three makes in five of nine games. The Suns are on the second night of a back-to-back and play one of the league’s slowest paces. That points to a half-court opening where a guard who creates his own shot, either pulling up or coming off a Brook Lopez screen, is a likely candidate for the first look.
The opening tip is close to a coin flip, and that helps Garland’s case. Phoenix is reportedly without starting center Mark Williams, so Brook Lopez’s likely jumping opponent is Khaman Maluach or Oso Ighodaro, who has won only about half his tips this season. If Lopez wins it, the Clippers’ first set very likely starts with the ball in Garland’s hands. Even if Phoenix gets the first possession, a stop gives Los Angeles the next trip, and Garland’s touch share keeps him in play.
The price is where the value is. Garland’s number stays a little longer even though he has the usage of a first option while Ingram and Beal are out. As the Clippers’ top scorer by default and a high-volume three-point shooter, he gives you more equity than his odds suggest.
NBA First Basket Tracker 2026-27 Season
| Date | Pick | Odds | Units Wagered | Overall Record | Units +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/08/2026 | Darius Garland | +575 | 1.00 | ?? | ?? |
| 11/07/2026 | Ivica Zubac | +550 | 1.00 | 3-10.5 (free throws) | ▲11.25 |
| 11/06/2026 | Walker Kessler | +575 | 1.00 | 3-10 | ▲8.50 |
| 11/05/2026 | Pelle Larsson | +600 | 1.00 | 3-9 | ▲9.50 |
| 11/04/2026 | De'Aaron Fox | +600 | 1.00 | 3-8 | ▲10.50 |
| 11/02/2026 | Zach Edey | +470 | 1.00 | 3-7 | ▲11.50 |
| 10/30/2026 | Bam Adebayo | +600 | 1.00 | 3-6 | ▲ 12.50 |
| 10/29/2026 | Deni Avdija | +750 | 1.00 | 2-6 | ▲ 6.50 |
| 10/28/2026 | Tyler Herro | +650 | 1.00 | 2-5 | ▲ 7.50 |
| 10/27/2026 | Cade Cunningham | +500 | 1.00 | 1-5 | ▲ 1.00 |
| 10/26/2026 | Josh Giddey | +1400 | 1.00 | 1-4 | ▲ 2.00 |
| 10/23/2026 | Brandon Miller | +600 | 1.00 | 1-3 | ▲ 3.00 |
| 10/22/2026 | Jarrett Allen | +600 | 1.00 | 1-2 | ▲ 4.00 |
| 10/21/2026 | Anthony Edwards | +600 | 1.00 | 0-2 | ▼ 2.00 |
| 10/20/2026 | Jaylen Brown | +700 | 1.00 | 0-1 | ▼ 1.00 |
For more on how the market works, plus jump ball and opening-play strategy, see our NBA first basket guide.
