In that sense, looking at teams with taller and statistically better centers, you can be swayed towards five of the ten players on offer in this market. Oklahoma City has won just 23% of the tip but has scored the first basket 42% of the time. Once you have your one of ten players selected, you can just go on with the basic money line pick and there goes your combo. The Mavericks have scored the first basket in just 38% of games this year, while the Hawks have added a first basket in 55% of games this year. My parents were at the game. Its a bet that will be decided very quickly with the first basket! The tip off is basically the two tallest players (usually . The Orlando Magic have already won the tip against the Detroit Pistons in two games this season. In the FIBA World Cup 2019 in China, he surpassed 611 points scored in this type of event, placing him second all-time, behind the Brazilian Schmidt, who totaled 906 points in the World Cup. The tip advantage should be in favor of Milwaukee, as Lopez is 4-1 on opening tip-offs against Vucevic over the past two seasons. They were followed by South Korea's Shin Dong-pa, who averaged 32.6 points per game in 1970. Not surprisingly, given the number of players they churned through in the "Process" era, the 76ers were the team for which 33 of last year's players scored their first basket -- a group that ranged from Kyle Korver (Nov. 14, 2003) to Zhaire Smith (March 25, 2019). But, I mean, it was a good feeling. "Of course I do," he told ESPN. Gambling problem? If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. The Magic scored the first basket in both games, with buckets from Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Dudley drew a blank when asked to recall the details of his first basket, but he remembered plenty of other details from his Nov. 2, 2007, NBA debut -- during which he went scoreless. This is where your knowledge of players and team dynamics will come even handier than just following who scores the most for each individual team. The 41-year-old is in his fifth Olympics, as are Spaniards Gasol and Rudy Fernndez. [13][14][15] After Gaze, it was Spain's Alberto Herreros, who was the leading scorer of the 1998 FIBA World Championship. Ossie Schectman, the man who scored the first basket in NBA history, died on Tuesday at age 94. Some of them, like Michael Beasley (who scored 14 seconds into his NBA debut in 2008), took very little time to get their name in the official NBA scorebook. . Saturday's NBA First Basket Prop: Target Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown. Actually, if I was younger, I'd probably think 3 or something, but floater fit my game more than anything. Dekker's layup wasn't an uncommon first make for an NBA player. On the opposite end of the scale, the Wizards, Pelicans, Raptors, Timberwolves, 76ers, and Cavaliers scored first fewer than 40% of the time. When it comes to predicting a winner of a game we already have the two major options with the MONEY LINE and the POINT SPREAD so starting from there it is only logical to see them combined with something else. Please login or register to reply to this blog, By using this site you confirm you are 18+ and consent to our use of cookies and processing of personal data as set out in our, Basketball betting - Market Movement/Following The Market, Basketball betting - First Basket/Winner market strategy, Betting on the NBA - accumulators and value selling explained, NBA Betting Tips To Make Your NBA Wagers More Profitable. The Celtics, Warriors, Spurs, and Grizzlies were the only teams to score first in at least 66.7 per cent of their February games. A bettor won over $3,000 on a $1 bet Tuesday night via a first-basket parlay through DraftKings. Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers Below are our best NBA first basket predictions today. We played Charlotte. "For the amount of work I was putting in, as well as added development costs related to the model, I determined I had two options team up with another service or start my own," he said. Couldn't have drawn it up any better myself.". If your go-to guy is matched-up against a well-known defender or a more unorthodox player, then you might have to look at a less-obvious option as defence will be tight on the bookies favourite early on. ET. Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread, NBA Player Prop Bet Rankings Picks & Predictions, NBA Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions, NBA Player Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions, NHL Goal in First Ten (GIFT) Odds, Picks & Predictions, NHL Player Prop Odds, Picks & Predictions, NHL Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions, College Basketball Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions, NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (2/23), NBA PrizePicks Player Prop Bets & Picks: Thursday (2/23) . But who scored the first basket when they rebranded AKA when the NBA was actually known as the NBA? My coverage of basketball betting with specific emphasis on the NBA continues as more and more people here at OLBG seem to be getting into the sport and are eager to know more about the various markets available out there. It's as simple as that, folks. The No. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Plumlee was a first-round pick of the Nets in 2013 but played sparingly early in the season after the team's summer acquisitions of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. NBA First Basket. Korver is one of 119 players whose first basket was a 3-pointer. com/lists/nba-twitter-reacts-to-draymond-greens-performance-in-game. The FIBA EuroBasket Top Scorer is the FIBA Europe honor that is bestowed upon the leading scorer of each FIBA EuroBasket tournament. en. Others, like Sam Dekker, took a little longer. When the Bucks win the tipoff, they have scored first 67% of the time . Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. In second place is the Australian Andrew Gaze, with 789 and in first place, the Brazilian Oscar Schmidt, with 1093. It was great. In this collection of 600 questions, Sam Amico tests your level of expertise on all things basketball. 5 overall pick in the 2017 draft showed off his trademark speed immediately after coming off the bench in his debut, blowing past the Rockets' defense in transition for an easy layup. Jared Dudley doesn't remember his first bucket, but shares how he felt during his first NBA game. All Rights Reserved. That analysis and data attracted attention immediately, with bettors identifying that they now had a possible edge in one of the most potentially lucrative betting markets in basketball. Learn more. Ap News Corner is Global Magazine, Our main focusing on technolog, business, entertainment and lifestyle. I just remember I was ready to go. Back Jalen Williams to score first. If you think you arent in control of your gambling then seek help immediately from BeGambleAware or Gamcare. "Great FIBA moments involving NBA players". I drove from the top, shot a little floater. NBA First Basket betting markets have become one of the most popular bet types among sports bettors, with low-stake wagers returning huge dividends. The FIBA Basketball World Cup Top Scorer, although not an official award given by FIBA, represents the player who led FIBA Basketball World Cup in points scored per game (regardless of number of games played in tournament). In that Olympic journey, Scola has been able to medal twice; he won gold in Athens 2004 and bronze in Beijing 2008. I don't think I got any run the first two games of the season, so it was just good to get in there.". I'll tell you one thing, it takes a lot off your shoulders. Kind of got the nerves and the jitters out, so it was a good feeling. Position: Player: Games: Points: PPG: 1. "It was a road game down in Orlando. [4] Chile's Rufino Bernedo, led that same tournament in total points scored, with 86. FIBA World Championship MVPs and Top Scorers. No portion of FIBA.basketball may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form.By accessing FIBA.basketball pages, you agree to abide by FIBA.basketball terms and conditions. For both Curry brothers, their first NBA basket did not come on their first NBA shot, which is more common than not. Over the past 5 years, the market has become more data driven, with more data available to the consumer," he told Dimers.com this week. Because when ESPN posed the same question to Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, the big man drew a blank. Radivoj Kora and Nikos Galis hold the scoring king record, finishing as the EuroBasket's top scorer on four occasions. Kristin Chenoweth Reveals a Strange Linkage to the Girl Scout Murders! Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. Every first basket is unique. I started sports betting around 20 years ago. The Warriors closed out a 5-0 homestand with a 108-99 win over the Pelicans on Friday night, building some momentum as they prepare for star Stephen Curry's imminent return from injury. It was an isolation play and I got a left-handed layup going down the lane. Schectman scored the basket for the New York Knicks in a 68-66 win over . 'Whatever seed we are, we're ready': Is there room for Cleveland among the East elite? FanDuel. And things have gotten crazy since. I tried to keep my cool and act like it was a normal bucket and keep playing.". The initial advantage will come to Phoenix at the tip-off as it will be Deandre Ayton vs. Dwight Powell. Until December 15, new PointsBet customers get a Dimers hoodie, plus two risk-free bets up to $2,000, which is perfect to tail some NBA First Basket bets of your own! Read more in our guide here. NBA. But I don't remember my first basket, no.". As the US movement to legalize sports gambling across the states has expanded, more prop markets are available than ever before. Both numbers are higher than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, for example. Like I have stressed in my previous articles, basketball betting in Europe is only just picking up and diversifying so we could expect the equivalents of certain football markets slowly making their way into the picture. Over the past 5 years, the market has become more data-driven, with more data available to the consumer, he told Dimers.com last week. DUDE TURNED 38 CENTS INTO $1K! At the same time, just like in football, you will have those who are more likely to get the first touch and those who are less likely (a bit like strikers being shorter on the market to score first than defenders). My first NBA bucket was a tip slam. Devin Booker has been hot during this series as hes shooting 52% from three and hit the games first basket from behind the arc. Layer upon layer of unlikely events turned this into a giant onion of a payout, and now three bettors in Pennsylvania are about to have serious opinions on the way gambling wins are taxed. The Mavericks rank 21st defending finishes at the rim and allow them at the 5th . Ryan, from Indiana, created the @NBAFirstBasket account on Twitter in January 2021 after taking an interest in NBA First Basket stats following a two-decade long love of gambling on sports. The explosion of props betting during the pandemic-riddled 2020/21 NBA season led Ryan to develop a model on a particular prop that he and his friends enjoyed betting on when attending Pacers games together in his hometown: who will score the first field goal of the game. Sync your sportsbook(s) and analyze bet performance, view your top splits, betting trends, and compete against users on the leaderboards. "I was with the Houston Rockets. When you get that first basket, see it go in, the basket gets bigger, your eyes get wider. Meanwhile, the Thunder are the complete opposite. Subscribe:Apple Podcasts|Spotify|Google Podcasts|Stitcher|RadioPublic|Breaker|Castbox|Pocket Casts. The best thing you've seen in . 9:30 p.m. As the market has proven extremely popular, I am certain more bookies will look at it closely and while they do that, it is wise to examine what it is all about and how we can establish our own strategy. If we check the LA Clippers, Blake Griffin has been the go-to guy early on in more than 50% of their games. Very memorable. It was wide open, and it was one of the hardest layups I've ever made. .mw-parser-output .citation{word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}^ As of 2019 FIBA World Cup. I like the Hawks to score the . Yeah, I remember that. However, Tatum has nine first baskets, while Brown only has five first baskets made this season. Trae Young has seven of Atlanta's first baskets and is second on the first-basket list, behind Doncic, who has only earned three first baskets throughout the season. If I'm on a cold streak or don't feel great about the matchups on a given day, I state it so bettors can make their own decision on following, "I don't really feel much extra stress having a service, I want to win just as much as I did with the free picks I was providing.". "It's very unlikely that I could make enough to leave my current work position, but it's nice to have a little extra income. Alberto Herreros, a professional of the three-pointer. Chile's Rufino Bernedo, led that same tournament in total points scored, with 86. FIBA PAYS TRIBUTE TO GALIS WORLD CUP DOMINANCE. ". Mason Plumlee, Denver Nuggets There are only three games on the NBA slate tonight. ", Follow Zion, Ja, RJ, De'Andre, Coby and more top rooks as they balance basketball and life during an exciting NBA season. The most important thing to note is that the team that wins the tip is traditionally scoring the first points in the game about 65% of the time. We analyzed every player's first career basket and got the stories behind them. At this stage of his career, JJ Barea is focused on assisting. ), "I remember playing the Milwaukee Bucks, going against Michael Redd, the lefty, getting two quick fouls in about 30 seconds, got subbed out, going like, 'Man, he was an All-Star, USA team.' Whether youre new to sports betting or a betting pro, ourSports Betting Strategy and Advicepage is for you. NBA Schedules. This knowledge is advantageous since the direction of your live betting might be based on this gain or loss knowledge. To select a player, it is necessary to understand how frequently the team scores first. lvaro Salvadores, of Spain, was the leading scorer by points per game, of the first FIBA World Cup (then called the FIBA World Championship), the 1950 FIBA World Championship, which was held in Argentina. Jimmy Butler has been the guy to trust for the Heat as hes made the first basket in four of their last ten games. So it's no surprise his first NBA basket was a 3-pointer. We played against the Denver Nuggets. And after sitting out his first two seasons in the NBA due to injury, Joel Embiid made a free-throw line turnaround jumper to score the first of his 1,290 baskets. Historia de los campeonatos del mundo. Although the Jazz might win the tip, the Thunder still have more probability of scoring first. Myles Turner First Basket (0.4u, +500 FD) & Buddy Hield First Basket 3PM (0.2u, +1700 FD) The Pacers are slightly favored to win the tip-off. . Thirty years experience of writing about sport across multiple platforms. Game 2 of Bucks vs. Bulls is the late game of Wednesday's trio of playoff games. Of the 530 players who suited up and saw action in an NBA game in 2018-19, 525 of them scored at least one basket either last season or in a previous season. The idea to investigate the model grew from there, with a buddy proposing he create a Twitter handle to share the statistics with those in the online gaming world. So I rarely bet on a team if I don't think they can win the tip.". The NBA was on its All-Star break throughout the week. I think they were the Bobcats at the time. "I started sports betting around 20 years ago. One gambler won $45,000 who had Ayton to score the first basket. Seriously, Powell shouldnt even try. This got me interested in exploring models around the prop markets.". Thats downright ridiculous. Lopez's forgetfulness aside, scoring the first basket of your career is a memorable moment. Lets take a look at our favorite first basket player prop bet picks for tonight. Make sure its Jalen Williams. If a team only scores first 15% of the time, betting on a player from that team to score first is a disadvantage. The Argentine has a brilliant record and has now added a new milestone in his award-winning career by becoming the fourth leading scorer in the history of the Olympic Games. And three people got it exactly right. Danny Green shares the memory of his first basket in the NBA and how he felt in the moment. I came off a screen on the right side and hit a jumper from the top of the key at a long 2 and remember just honestly feeling a sense of relief that I had finally made an NBA basket.". "There are a lot of VIP services popping up, and I know and subscribe to a few as I have less time to research other props on some days. I think the biggest key is transparency. Devin . All information as of end EuroBasket 2022, Last edited on 18 September 2022, at 22:25, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, FIBA EuroBasket All-Time leaders in games played, FIBA EuroBasket All-time leading scorers in total points scored, FIBA Basketball World Cup Most Valuable Player, FIBA Basketball World Cup All-Tournament Team, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=FIBA_EuroBasket_Top_Scorer&oldid=1111021589, Denotes the number of times the player had been Top Scorer at that time, This page was last edited on 18 September 2022, at 22:25. The first advice I can provide when it comes to selecting a first basket scorer has to do with the basics of basketball, namely the TIP OFF. "FIBA World Championship MVP's and Top Scorers", "Guia Basketme Copa del Mundo - Actualizacin 2.0", EuroBasket.com FIBA Basketball World Cup Page, Top scorer of each FIBA Basketball World Cup (Top 3), FIBA World Championship MVPs and Top Scorers, FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup_Top_Scorer&oldid=1137742466, Articles with Spanish-language sources (es), Short description with empty Wikidata description, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Denotes player whose team won that years tournament, Inducted into both the Naismith and FIBA Halls of Fame, Denotes the number of times the player had been the top scorer at that time, This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 06:02. It is widely considered one of the greatest records in the sport's history. Who scored the first NBA basket after they rebranded? Proudly part of Cipher Sports Technology Group, 902A Broadway, Floors 6 & 7, New York, NY 10010, United States of America. Once you have figured your tip off strategy and have divided the ten players available on the market as first basket scorers, you have to dig deeper into the different team dynamics, the offense they play and monitor which are the GO-TO GUYS, who are most likely to take that first shot or take the most shots in the game altogether. Adebayo is 2-of-4 in opening tipoffs and lost to Embiid in Game 4. You can get started with our 101 section including10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners or head to more advanced strategies likeKey Numbers When Betting Against the Spread to learn more. Bulls vs. I don't know how I made it, but I made it, because it was wide open. First basket player prop bets are a great way to jump into NBA betting action. 6 pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, and missed his first three shots before making a layup early in the second quarter. What is the Science Behind NBA First Basket Betting? Thaddeus Young, Chicago Bulls "I think my first one was against the Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams. Danny Green, Los Angeles Lakers The information we provide is accurate and trustworthy to help you make better decisions. Whether youre new to sports betting or a betting pro, ourSports Betting Strategy and Advicepage is for you. Carter-Williams is one of 15 players from last year who scored his first basket against the Heat. Before placing any wagers with any betting site, you must check the online gambling regulations in your jurisdiction or state, as they do vary. It was an unbelievable feeling. "My first basket in the league was a floater over DeAndre Jordan. In partnership with Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West. [26][27][28] J. J. Barea of Puerto Rico, led the 2014 FIBA World Cup in points per game,[29][30][31][32] with a scoring average of 22.0 points per game. Pau Gasol (ESP) 58: 1183: 20.4: 2. Back surgery limited Dekker, then with the Houston Rockets, to just three games as a rookie, during which he didn't attempt a single shot. On the other hand, the Pacers have won the tip in just 33% of games while scoring the first basket in only 42% of games. It was a great experience.". Free picks, parlays and sportsbook offers sent to your inbox. Eligibility restrictions apply. July 30, 2013 5:13 pm ET. 6 overall pick in 2014, made three shots on seven attempts in his NBA debut. With the All-Star break approaching, we won't get any more regular-season NBA action until next Thursday. Tatum's first basket came in his first game, under the intense national-TV spotlight focused on the first meeting between LeBron James and Kyrie Irving after Irving had been traded from Cleveland to Boston. Still, unlike football, whoever scores early on is not in a better position to win the game and you have to take into account all the aspects you would normal take when betting on the money line or spread markets. We do NOT accept bets of any kind. (0:45). (He made his first NBA basket two nights later in Miami. "It was against Oklahoma City at Oklahoma City. I would check not only height but also rebound numbers of the players who usually tip off for each team and comparing them according to the individual match-ups will lead to certain conclusion who is more likely to gain the first possession. NBA First Basket betting markets have become one of the most popular sorts of bets among sports bettors in 2021, with minimal stake wagers paying out significant profits. Those shots include poster dunks, deep 3-pointers and just about everything in between. pic.twitter.com/fPReLiyxRL, So excited everyone is crushing it. Copyright 2023 Dimers. FletcherIsMyHomeBoy 2 yr. ago. The surge in props betting during the pandemic-plagued 2020/21 season I started to gather the data on first baskets to see what story the data would tell me, the self-described Finance geek explained. ESPN's Malika Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Kirk Goldsberry, Andrew Lopez, Dave McMenamin, Raajik Shah and Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this story. Oct 16, 2022. You can get started with our 101 section including10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners or head to more advanced strategy likeKey Numbers When Betting Against the Spread to learn more. Watch on ESPN+. https://t.co/HhzAbqtbGX. Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics Pacers Trio Set To Play in FIBA World Cup. The NBA suffered a loss on Tuesday morning, as related by Ian Begley of ESPN New York: Benjamin "Ossie" Schectman, a #Knick who is credited with scoring the 1st basket in . Must be 21 or older to gamble. Turner leads Indiana with a 30.7 team First FGA%, and when Dallas allows the First FG, it is to the center 35% of the time. For example if you have a 2,20m tall center who averages 11 rebounds per game squaring off against a 2,14m center with 7 rebounds per game, you will see the logic in giving the former an edge, hence assuming his team will win the first possession. While Cleveland's 42 percent first-score conversion rate isn't that great, it's still better than Indiana's 35 percent conversion rate. Utah has scored just 28% of first baskets despite earning 45% of tips this season. After sitting out the Pacers' first game in 2015-16, Turner made his NBA debut at home against the Memphis Grizzlies. Statistical support provided by Jose De Leon, Vincent Johnson, Michael Schwartz and Matt Williams of ESPN's Stats & Information Group. "It was against the Pacers. Usage per cent can tell you who has the ball the most, but they may pass early in the game, which means role players score first more often than stars. I was under the basket, and I thought I was about to dunk it, but then I was like, 'Man, I just want the two points.' The 2020-21 NBA season may have already started, but you can create or join an ESPN Fantasy Basketball league at any time and start your season from when you draft your team. And dont make the mistake of taking Jaylin Williams. I also enjoy the start-up aspect of the business, something I've had good experience with in my professional life. Danny Green shares the memory of his first basket in the NBA and how he felt in the moment. Sign up to PointsBettodayand deposit just $50 to unlock this offer. Ryan, from Indiana, created the @NBAFirstBasket account on Twitter in January 2021 after taking an interest in NBA First Basket stats following a two-decade long love of gambling on sports. 6 pick averaged 19. org/wiki/LeBron_JamesAt the 2006 All-Star Game, James led the East to victory with 29 points and was named the NBA pronstico en boston All-Star Game Most Valuable Player. So it happened and I was hyped.". No. Theory being that the lower this ratio is, the more likely it is worth the 50 to 100 basis points to take 1st basket option. July 30, 2013, 3:30 PM. While I like Embiid with the ball throughout most of the game, for now not on the opening possession. Hield came off the bench in his NBA debut, after having been the No. So I was ecstatic, I was hyped and ready to go. It was pretty cool for me. e. The FIBA EuroBasket Top Scorer is the FIBA Europe honor that is bestowed upon the leading scorer of each FIBA EuroBasket tournament. While my basic. Jayson Tatum shares how he felt scoring his first points in the NBA. Durant scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting in his Suns debut, helping Phoenix snap the Charlotte Hornets' five-game winning streak with a wire-to-wire 105-91 victory Wednesday night. Simply place $100 worth of total bets on the NBA by 1/19/2022 to receive a free jersey! These achievements marked a whole generation of Argentine basketball players such as Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Andrs Nocioni, Carlos Delfino, among others. Pat Bev was the most profitable player in the market last year, if you check my comment history I literally posted it as a tip last night. It was pretty crazy because I always knew him as a kid as a shot blocker, and it was kind of fitting that I just got it over the top of him. Hes been hands down their best scorer in this series, and hes getting it done in this one. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread. Still, it's always nice to see that first basket go through the net, as multiple players said. And then the bench started yelling, and then I was like, 'Aww, s---, that's my first basket.' Enjoy the meaningful games because you won't have them earlier next week. Free bets and casino offers are subject to terms and conditions, please check these thoroughly before taking part in a promotion. More than 500 players played in the NBA last season, and nearly all of them made at least one basket. Growing up, floater would've been my best guess. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN). "It was at New Orleans. Argentina's Luis Scola, led the 2010 edition in scoring. Please gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. For example with the Oklahoma City Thunder, you have two guys who have taken more than 90% of the first shots so far this season and those are Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. As you probably notice already, the first part of it is the tricky one and the one that in the end will provide the value I spoke about in my intro. Published: Nov 26, 01:48 Updated: Feb 06, 22:54 0 15696 Basketball, My coverage of basketball betting with specific emphasis on theNBA continues as more and more people here at OLBG seem to begetting into the sport and are eager to know more about the variousmarkets available out there. Bucks. Matchup. You either win or lose, and you know which one it is immediately away. But after the fact, it was cool.". It's definitely one of the biggest things. On the outside I kept my composure and went down and continued to play defense.". The Magic certainly have the edge to score first, going up against Isaiah Stewart of the Pistons in the tip-off. I came in right away got a tip dunk. [16][17][18][19] Herreros was followed by Germany's Dirk Nowitzki, who led the 2002 edition in scoring.[20][21][22][23]. Curry, the greatest shooter this game has seen, accounts for 12 of them. "I started putting together [data] models for the NBA (sides and totals) about 6 years ago. It is decided early in the game, so there is no perspiration during the game. I remember looking over at them, looking over at my dad and pointing.