NBA First Basket Predictions, Odds and Value Bets Today [Thursday, 5/16/2024]

We have another action-packed day of NBA Playoffs upon us, and we've run thousands of simulations to find the most reliable NBA first basket predictions and odds for Thursday, May 16, 2024.

Thursday's NBA Playoffs action is set to showcase star players such as Nikola Jokic, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, each with a high chance of scoring first when they take to the court.

NBA first basket props have become one of the most popular options for NBA bettors to wager on, and by using Thursday'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 analytics model has identified as NBA first basket value bets for today's action, as well as the players who are most likely to score the first basket on May 16.

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Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight: May 16, 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
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)	15.3%
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)	14.9%
Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves)	12.1%
Jamal Murray (Nuggets)	11.8%
Aaron Gordon (Nuggets)	9.2%
Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves)	8.7%
Jaden McDaniels (Timberwolves)	6.4%
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Nuggets)	4.7%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket tonight is Nikola Jokic, with a probability of 15.3%.

Additionally, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Anthony Edwards, with a 14.9% probability, and Karl-Anthony Towns, with a 12.1% probability. Remember, although this list shows the players most likely to score the first basket on Thursday, it does not necessarily mean they are recommended bets according to DimersBOT.

To increase your chances of winning when betting on NBA props, it's important to look out for the best odds available.

Best First Basket Picks Tonight: Thursday 5/16/2024

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

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1. Jamal Murray To Score First Basket (+850)

• Odds: +850
• Edge: 1.3%
• Probability: 11.8%
• Game: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves (8:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today, which is in the game between the Nuggets and Timberwolves. The bet is on Jamal Murray (DEN) at odds of +850 with FanDuel Sportsbook, and our model has found an edge of 1.3%.

2. Anthony Edwards To Score First Basket (+600)

• Odds: +600
• Edge: 0.6%
• Probability: 14.9%
• Game: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves (8:30PM ET)

The next best NBA first basket bet for Thursday also comes in the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves game, where our model has found an edge of 0.6% on Anthony Edwards (MIN) at odds of +600 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

MORE: Thursday'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 Thursday slate:

• Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction (8:30PM ET, Thursday)

Understanding Betting Edge

At Dimers, an "edge" in betting signifies our belief that an event's probability is higher than the best available NBA odds suggest. A higher betting edge indicates a greater likelihood of success. However, it's essential to remember that no bet is guaranteed, and responsible gambling practices are crucial for long-term success.

Tonight's NBA First Basket Picks: May 16, 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 16, 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 for Thursday, May 16, are generated thanks to rigorous 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 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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