NBA First Basket Predictions, Odds and Value Bets Today [Friday, 5/17/2024]

We have another exciting day of NBA Playoffs ahead of us, and we've run thousands of simulations to find the best NBA first basket predictions and odds for Friday, May 17, 2024.

Friday's NBA Playoffs action is set to showcase players such as Jalen Brunson, Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton, each with a high chance of opening the scoring when they take to the court.

NBA first basket props have become one of the more popular options for basketball fans to bet on, and by using Friday's data-backed NBA predictions below, you can gain an advantage over everyone else.

This article will provide you with a list of players that our predictive analytics model has identified as NBA first basket value bets for today's action, as well as the players who have the highest likelihood of scoring the first basket on May 17.

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Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight: May 17, 2024

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

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket tonight is Jalen Brunson, with a probability of 17.4%.

Additionally, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Pascal Siakam, with a 12.9% probability, and Tyrese Haliburton, with a 11.4% probability. Keep in mind that this list only shows the players with the highest probability of scoring the first basket on Friday, which does not necessarily indicate that DimersBOT recommends betting on them.

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

Best First Basket Picks Today: Friday 5/17/2024

After simulating the outcome of today's NBA Playoffs action thousands of times, our predictive model has found the best NBA first basket bets for you to make on Friday.

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1. Jalen Brunson To Score First Basket (+550)

• Odds: +550
• Edge: 2.0%
• Probability: 17.4%
• Game: Knicks vs. Pacers (8:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today, which is in the game between the Knicks and Pacers. The bet is on Jalen Brunson (NYK) at odds of +550 with FanDuel Sportsbook, and our model has found an edge of 2.0%.

2. Tyrese Haliburton To Score First Basket (+900)

• Odds: +900
• Edge: 1.5%
• Probability: 11.5%
• Game: Knicks vs. Pacers (8:30PM ET)

The next best NBA first basket bet for Friday also comes in the Knicks vs. Pacers game, where our model has found an edge of 1.5% on Tyrese Haliburton (IND) at odds of +900 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

MORE: Friday's Best NBA Bets

Today's NBA Games

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

• Knicks vs. Pacers Prediction (8:30PM ET, Friday)

Understanding Betting Edge

The "edge" at Dimers is when we think the probability of an event occurring is more likely than the best odds available. Essentially, it means that Dimers believes a bet has a better chance of winning than the sportsbooks do. That's why the higher the edge, the better.

Although it does not guarantee a win, taking picks with a higher betting edge can increase your chances of being profitable in the long run. This is an essential aspect of a successful sports betting strategy.

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: May 17, 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 17, 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 picks and predictions for Friday, May 17, are made 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 picks for sports betting, it's vital that you practice responsible gambling and manage your bankroll effectively. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

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

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