NBA Best Bets: Top First Scorer Props for Sunday 3/8/26

Zach Thompson details his top first scorer props bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Sunday's 10-game NBA slate.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Zach Thompson, a sports betting analyst, provides his top first scorer prop bets for Sunday's 10-game NBA slate. He highlights two players - Brandon Ingram of the Toronto Raptors and DeMar DeRozan of the Sacramento Kings - as strong options to score the first points in their respective games.

Why it matters

First point props are a popular betting market that can provide quick returns, as the odds on first scorers are typically long shots. Finding the right players to target can be a lucrative strategy for bettors looking to get an early win on their Sunday NBA action.

The details

For the Raptors-Mavericks game, Thompson likes Brandon Ingram as he has been the first scorer in 5 of his last 10 games and has the team's highest first basket percentage at 18.6%. The Raptors don't win the opening tip often, but the Mavericks aren't much better, so Ingram should have a good chance to score first. In the Kings-Bulls game, Thompson highlights DeMar DeRozan as the Kings have won the tip-off 73.3% of the time in their last 15 games, the second-highest rate on Sunday. DeRozan has been the first scorer in 3 of the Kings' last 7 games and 8 times total this season, the most on either team.

  • Brandon Ingram has been the first scorer in 5 of his last 10 games.
  • The Kings have won the tip-off 73.3% of the time in their last 15 games.

The players

Brandon Ingram

A forward for the Toronto Raptors who has been aggressive in scoring the first points in games lately, making him a solid option to consider in the Raptors-Mavericks matchup.

DeMar DeRozan

A veteran forward for the Sacramento Kings who has been the first scorer in 3 of the Kings' last 7 games and 8 times total this season, the most on either team in the Kings-Bulls game.

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What they’re saying

“First point plays are all over the most-bet player props, and they can be a great way to get a quick-hitter that delivers a win or loss right away without a long sweat.”

— Zach Thompson, Sports Betting Analyst (draftkings.com)

The takeaway

Finding the right players to target for first scorer props can be a lucrative betting strategy, as the odds are typically long shots. Zach Thompson has identified Brandon Ingram and DeMar DeRozan as strong options to consider for Sunday's NBA slate based on their recent aggressiveness in scoring the first points of games.