Oct 20, 2026
NBA picks today: Tuesday's best bets include Thunder vs. Spurs play [10/20/2026]
Read Article NBA first basket picks and predictions for Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get first basket predictions today backed by expert analysis of NBA slate on 10/20.
Our NBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Tuesday, October 20, 2026—are live with the Knicks' Jalen Brunson projected as the most likely player to score first.
Dimers’ first basket projections draw on detailed first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily NBA player projections.
Brunson, Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Williams lead Tuesday’s most likely first basket scorers, while we also showcase tonight's top first basket value picks by comparing real-time odds to model-generated probabilities.
NBA first basket predictions tonight (October 20, 2026)
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks): 14.6% probability
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): 13.6% probability
- Jalen Williams (Thunder): 13.3% probability
- Jaylen Brown (76ers): 12.5% probability
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): 12.0% probability
- Dylan Harper (Spurs): 11.7% probability
- Joel Embiid (76ers): 10.9% probability
- Tyrese Maxey (76ers): 10.0% probability
- LeBron James (76ers): 10.0% probability
- OG Anunoby (Knicks): 9.6% probability
NBA first basket picks today (October 20, 2026)
- Jalen Williams (Thunder): 4.2% edge at +1000 odds
- Josh Hart (Knicks): 0.7% edge at +1400 odds
- OG Anunoby (Knicks): 0.5% edge at +1000 odds
- Cason Wallace (Thunder): 0.5% edge at +1400 odds
- Isaiah Hartenstein (Thunder): 0.0% edge at +1000 odds
Edges represent the difference between model probability and implied odds.
For more insights on prop markets and value plays across the league, explore our full list of NBA prop bets for 10/20.
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Jalen Brunson, Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Williams lead our first basket projections, with Williams shaping as the strongest value play at +1000. All picks and predictions are derived from Dimers’ NBA first basket model.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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