NBA First Basket Predictions, Odds and Value Bets Today [Saturday, 5/18/2024]

Another exciting day of NBA Playoffs action is on the cards, and we've run thousands of simulations to find the best NBA first basket picks and odds for Saturday, May 18, 2024.

Saturday's NBA Playoffs action is set to showcase players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Jalen Williams, each with a high probability of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

NBA first basket props have become one of the most popular options for sports fans to bet on, and by using Saturday's data-driven NBA predictions below, you can gain an advantage over other bettors.

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 18.

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Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight: May 18, 2024

Thanks to simulating every one of Saturday'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
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	15.5%
Luka Doncic (Mavericks)	13.0%
Jalen Williams (Thunder)	11.4%
Kyrie Irving (Mavericks)	10.9%
Chet Holmgren (Thunder)	9.9%
P.J. Washington (Mavericks)	9.1%
Daniel Gafford (Mavericks)	8.9%
Isaiah Joe (Thunder)	7.7%
Luguentz Dort (Thunder)	5.5%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket tonight is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with a probability of 15.5%.

Additionally, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Luka Doncic, with a 13.0% probability, and Jalen Williams, with a 11.4% probability. Remember, although this list shows the players most likely to score the first basket on Saturday, it does not always mean they are recommended bets according to our predictive analytics model.

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 Tonight: Saturday 5/18/2024

Having simulated the result of today's NBA Playoffs action thousands of times, our predictive model has found the best NBA first basket bet for you to make on Saturday.

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1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander To Score First Basket (+550)

• Odds: +550
• Edge: 0.2%
• Probability: 15.5%
• Game: Thunder vs. Mavericks (8:00PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Saturday, which is in the game between the Thunder and Mavericks. The bet is on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) at odds of +550 with FanDuel Sportsbook, and our model has found an edge of 0.2%.

Today's NBA Games

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

• Thunder vs. Mavericks Prediction (8:00PM ET, Saturday)

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 18, 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 18, 2024, and automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting. Human editing and quality control is performed to ensure the content meets our editorial standards.

All of Dimers' NBA first basket picks for Saturday, May 18, are generated after thousands of data-driven game simulations, providing 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 important that you gamble responsibly 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.

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

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