May 17, 2024
NBA First Basket Predictions, Odds and Value Bets Today [Friday, 5/17/2024]
Read Article NBA first basket picks and predictions for Game 3 of 2026 Finals
Updated: | First published:
Written by Damien Souness, Chief Experience Officer
Get first basket predictions today guided by expert analysis of NBA slate on 6/8.
Our NBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Monday, June 8, 2026—are live with the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama projected as the most likely player to score first in tonight's Game 3 matchup.
Dimers’ first basket projections draw on key first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily NBA player projections.
Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson and Stephon Castle lead Monday’s most likely first basket scorers.
NBA Finals first basket predictions tonight (Game 3, 2026)
| Player | Team | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | Spurs | 13.6% |
| Jalen Brunson | Knicks | 13.0% |
| Stephon Castle | Spurs | 11.4% |
| Mikal Bridges | Knicks | 10.8% |
| De'Aaron Fox | Spurs | 10.1% |
| OG Anunoby | Knicks | 9.9% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks | 9.1% |
| Julian Champagnie | Spurs | 7.7% |
| Devin Vassell | Spurs | 7.3% |
| Josh Hart | Knicks | 7.2% |
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For Game 3 of the 2026 Finals on Monday, June 8, 2026, Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson and Stephon Castle lead our first basket projections. 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.
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Damien Souness is Chief Experience Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, helping lead sports media brands such as Dimers. He specializes in creating trustworthy and data-driven content for sports fans, with experience working for globally recognized sports and media organizations.
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