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NBA First Basket Predictions, Odds and Value Bets Today [Thursday, 5/9/2024]

NBA First Basket Predictions, Odds and Value Bets Today [Thursday, 5/9/2024]

We have another action-packed day of NBA Playoffs upon us, and we've run thousands of simulations to find the best NBA first basket picks and odds for Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Thursday's NBA Playoffs action is set to showcase players such as Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown and Luka Doncic, each with a high probability of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

NBA first basket props are one of the more popular options for NBA bettors to wager on, and by using Thursday's data-backed NBA predictions below, you can gain an edge over everyone else.

This article will provide you with a list of players that our supercomputer has identified as NBA first basket value bets for today's action, as well as the players who are most likely to score the first basket on May 9.

For today's full list of NBA prop picks, sign up to Dimers Pro. We give you the tools and information to succeed with hundreds of data-driven bets across thousands of games. Sign up now to join the community!




Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight: May 9, 2024

Thanks to simulating each one of Thursday's NBA games 10,000 times each, Dimers has determined the 10 players most likely to score the first basket in their respective games.

Player (Team)First Basket Probability
Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)17.7%
Jaylen Brown (Celtics)15.3%
Luka Doncic (Mavericks)13.3%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)13.0%
Kyrie Irving (Mavericks)12.9%
Jalen Williams (Thunder)12.0%
Daniel Gafford (Mavericks)10.6%
Darius Garland (Cavaliers)10.5%
Chet Holmgren (Thunder)10.5%
Derrick White (Celtics)10.3%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket tonight is Donovan Mitchell, with a probability of 17.7%.

Additionally, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Jaylen Brown, with a 15.3% probability, and Luka Doncic, with a 13.3% probability. Remember, although this list shows the players with the highest probability of scoring the first basket on Thursday, it does not necessarily mean they are recommended bets according to DimersBOT.

To increase your chances of winning when betting on NBA props, it's important to keep an eye on the best odds available.

Best First Basket Picks Today: Thursday 5/9/2024

Having simulated the outcome of today's NBA Playoffs action thousands of times, our leading predictive analytics model, DimersBOT, has generated the best NBA first basket betting picks for Thursday.

Note: Clicking links to our partners may earn us a referral fee.

1. Donovan Mitchell To Score First Basket (+550)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Thursday, which is in the game between the Cavaliers and Celtics. The bet is on Donovan Mitchell (CLE) at odds of +550 with FanDuel Sportsbook, and our model has found an edge of 2.3%.

The next two suggested bets are for Derrick White (2.0% edge) to score first in the Cavaliers vs. Celtics game and Kyrie Irving (1.2%) to score the first basket in the Mavericks vs. Thunder matchup.

2. Derrick White To Score First Basket (+1100)

The next best NBA first basket bet for Thursday also comes in the Cavaliers vs. Celtics game, where our model has found an edge of 2.0% on Derrick White (BOS) at odds of +1100 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

MORE: Thursday's Best NBA Bets

3. Kyrie Irving To Score First Basket (+750)

Our next NBA first basket bet on Thursday comes in the Mavericks vs. Thunder game, where our model has found an edge of 1.2% on Kyrie Irving (DAL) at odds of +750 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

MORE: Thursday's NBA Prop Picks

4. Darius Garland To Score First Basket (+900)

The next best first basket bet for Thursday's NBA action comes in the Cavaliers vs. Celtics game, where our model has found an edge of 0.5% on Darius Garland (CLE) at odds of +900 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

5. Luka Doncic To Score First Basket (+650)

Rounding out our top five NBA first basket bets for today is Luka Doncic (DAL) at odds of +650 in the Mavericks vs. Thunder game. Here, our model has found an edge of 0.0% with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Today's NBA Games

For more NBA picks and props, check out our full betting previews for each game on the Thursday slate:

Understanding Betting Edge

At Dimers, an "edge" in betting signifies our belief that an event's probability is higher than the best available NBA odds suggest. A higher betting edge indicates a greater likelihood of success. However, it's essential to remember that no bet is guaranteed, and responsible gambling practices are crucial for long-term success.

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: May 9, 2024

This NBA first basket article has been partially generated using automated processes and AI technology. Our goal is to provide timely and accurate updates on NBA first basket picks for May 9, 2024, and automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting. Human editing and quality control is performed to ensure the content meets our editorial guidelines.

All of Dimers' NBA first basket predictions for Thursday, May 9, have been generated after rigorous data-driven game simulations, giving you reliable and accurate NBA predictions to help you make informed decisions.

If you use today's NBA first basket predictions for sports betting, it's important that you practice responsible gambling and manage your finances effectively. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

More About NBA

This article is part of our NBA player props and NBA best bets series.

For more NBA betting content we have NBA trends for every game, as well as daily NBA betting news, the best NBA promos and the latest NBA title odds and predictions.

Nick Slade
Chief Content Officer

Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience as a sports and betting expert, serves as the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, where he steers the editorial and digital content strategy for leading platforms like Dimers.com, Stats Insider and Gambling Today. Specializing in soccer, Nick brings a global perspective to his coverage of the sport, including detailed analyses of MLS games. He also contributes to NHL content through game previews, best bets, and props, and lends his expertise to crafting NBA first basket betting content. 

With a robust background as a journalist and broadcaster, Nick has been a trusted voice on major networks and channels such as Fox Sports, WCBV-TV Boston, ESPN, ABC, and others. His profound understanding of sports and betting dynamics has made him a sought-after authority in the wagering and gambling industries.

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