NBA First Basket Predictions, Odds and Value Bets Today [Thursday, 4/25/2024]

Last updated: Apr 25, 2024, 4:46PM | Published: Apr 25, 2024, 5:16AM

Another action-packed day of NBA Playoffs action is on the cards, and we've run thousands of simulations to find the most reliable NBA first basket picks and odds for Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thursday's NBA Playoffs action is set to showcase big names such as Jalen Brunson, Nikola Jokic and Paolo Banchero, each with a high chance of scoring first when they take to the court.

NBA first basket props are one of the more popular options for sports fans to bet on, and by using Thursday's data-driven NBA predictions below, you can gain an advantage 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 have the highest likelihood of scoring the first basket on April 25.

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: April 25, 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
Jalen Brunson (Knicks)	16.4%
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)	14.6%
Paolo Banchero (Magic)	14.3%
Joel Embiid (76ers)	14.3%
Franz Wagner (Magic)	13.9%
LeBron James (Lakers)	13.4%
Tyrese Maxey (76ers)	13.3%
Anthony Davis (Lakers)	12.8%
Jamal Murray (Nuggets)	12.7%
Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers)	12.6%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket today is Jalen Brunson, with a probability of 16.4%.

Additionally, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Nikola Jokic, with a 14.6% probability, and Paolo Banchero, with a 14.3% probability. Keep in mind that this list only shows the players with the highest probability of scoring the first basket on Thursday, which does not always 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 Tonight: Thursday 4/25/2024

Having simulated the result of today's NBA Playoffs action thousands of times, our independent predictive analytics model, DimersBOT, has discovered the best NBA first basket bets for you to make on Thursday.

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

1. Jalen Brunson To Score First Basket (+700)

Odds: +700
Edge: 3.8%
Probability: 16.3%
Game: Knicks vs. 76ers (7:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Thursday, which is in the game between the Knicks and 76ers. The bet is on Jalen Brunson (NYK) at odds of +700 with FanDuel Sportsbook, and our model has found an edge of 3.8%.

The next two suggested bets are for Paolo Banchero (3.2% edge) to score first in the Cavaliers vs. Magic game and Franz Wagner (2.1%) to score the first basket, also in the Cavaliers-Magic matchup.

2. Paolo Banchero To Score First Basket (+800)

Odds: +800
Edge: 3.2%
Probability: 14.3%
Game: Cavaliers vs. Magic (7:00PM ET)

The next best NBA first basket bet for today comes in the Cavaliers vs. Magic game, where our model has found an edge of 3.2% on Paolo Banchero (ORL) at odds of +800 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

MORE: Thursday's Best NBA Bets

3. Franz Wagner To Score First Basket (+750)

Odds: +750
Edge: 2.1%
Probability: 13.9%
Game: Cavaliers vs. Magic (7:00PM ET)

Our next NBA first basket bet today comes in the Cavaliers vs. Magic game, where our model has found an edge of 2.1% on Franz Wagner (ORL) at odds of +750 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

MORE: Thursday's NBA Prop Picks

4. Jamal Murray To Score First Basket (+800)

Odds: +800
Edge: 1.6%
Probability: 12.7%
Game: Nuggets vs. Lakers (10:00PM ET)

The next best first basket bet for today's NBA action comes in the Nuggets vs. Lakers game, where our model has found an edge of 1.6% on Jamal Murray (DEN) at odds of +800 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

5. Darius Garland To Score First Basket (+1100)

Odds: +1100
Edge: 1.5%
Probability: 9.8%
Matchup: Cavaliers vs. Magic (7:00PM ET)

Rounding out our top five NBA first basket bets for Thursday is Darius Garland (CLE) at odds of +1100 in the Cavaliers vs. Magic game. Here, our model has found an edge of 1.5% 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:

Cavaliers vs. Magic Prediction (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
Knicks vs. 76ers Prediction (7:30PM ET, Thursday)
Nuggets vs. Lakers Prediction (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

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: April 25, 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 April 25, 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 our NBA first basket picks and predictions for Thursday, April 25, are made 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 vital 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.

More on 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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