NBA First Basket Predictions for Thursday Include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cade Cunningham [12/26/2024]

This Thursday, December 26th, we have another exciting day of NBA basketball ahead of us, headlined by the Thunder's matchup against the Pacers at 7:00PM ET.

After examining Thursday's NBA simulations this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our data experts have announced their best first basket bet of the day.

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Additionally, this article reveals the NBA players our predictive analytics model has identified as having the greatest chance of scoring the first basket in their respective matchups on Thursday.

Let's dive into today's NBA first basket news and updates.

NBA Players to Watch Today

Based on the most recent injury reports, Thursday's NBA slate is expected to feature star players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cade Cunningham and Nikola Vucevic, each with a high probability of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First NBA Basket Tonight? [Cheat Sheet for December 26, 2024]

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

Player (Team)	First Basket Probability
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	16.8%
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	14.9%
Nikola Vucevic (Bulls)	14.7%
LaMelo Ball (Hornets)	14.3%
RJ Barrett (Raptors)	14.2%
Tyler Herro (Heat)	14.0%
Collin Sexton (Jazz)	13.8%
Jalen Suggs (Magic)	13.5%
Domantas Sabonis (Kings)	13.2%
Cameron Johnson (Nets)	13.0%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in any of today's games is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with a probability of 16.8%.

Following Gilgeous-Alexander closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Cade Cunningham at 14.9% and Nikola Vucevic at 14.7%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Thursday, 12/26/2024]

After simulating the outcome of today's NBA matchups 10,000 times each, our predictive model has discovered the best NBA first basket bet for you to make on Thursday.

For full access to our comprehensive analysis and top picks, subscribe to Dimers Pro.

RJ Barrett To Score First Basket

• Odds: +900
• Edge: 4.2%
• Probability: 14.2%
• Matchup: Raptors vs. Grizzlies (8:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Raptors and Grizzlies. The bet is on RJ Barrett (TOR) at odds of +900 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 4.2% according to our analysis.

Not only does Barrett present an edge according to our model, but he is also among our top five most likely first basket scorers for today, as noted in the list above.

Closer Look at Today's First Basket Props

NBA first basket props have become one of the more popular betting options for basketball bettors. By using Thursday's data-driven NBA predictions, you can gain an advantage over everyone else.

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NBA News, Schedule Alerts and Updated Odds

• Read the latest news alerts from the official NBA feed
• Check updated NBA odds
• Find broadcasting and streaming options for today's NBA games

NBA Schedule for Today [12/26/2024]

• Thunder vs. Pacers (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Heat vs. Magic (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Bulls vs. Hawks (7:30PM ET, Thursday)
• Raptors vs. Grizzlies (8:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Pistons vs. Kings (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Jazz vs. Trail Blazers (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

For more betting guides, check out Thursday's NBA best bets and our NBA player prop picks for Thursday.

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: December 26, 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 December 26, 2024. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial standards.

All of our NBA first basket predictions for Thursday, December 26, are based on 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 your personal gambling, it's crucial 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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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.

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

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