NBA First Basket Predictions for Thursday Include Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo [3/13/2025]

This Thursday, March 13th, another exciting day of NBA action is on the menu, headlined by the Wizards' matchup against the Pistons at 7:00PM ET.

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

Additionally, this article reveals the NBA players our predictive analytics model has identified as having the highest probability 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 latest NBA Injury Report, Thursday's NBA slate is expected to showcase big names such as Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Zion Williamson, each with a high probability of scoring first when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight? [NBA Cheat Sheet for March 13, 2025]

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
Luka Doncic (Lakers)	17.7%
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)	17.6%
Zion Williamson (Pelicans)	16.9%
Stephen Curry (Warriors)	16.4%
Cam Thomas (Nets)	15.4%
Jordan Poole (Wizards)	14.8%
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	14.2%
Paolo Banchero (Magic)	13.8%
Franz Wagner (Magic)	13.7%
Coby White (Bulls)	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 Luka Doncic, with a probability of 17.7%.

Following Doncic closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Giannis Antetokounmpo at 17.6% and Zion Williamson at 16.9%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Thursday, 3/13/2025]

Having simulated the result of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our trusted predictive analytics model has found 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.

Zach LaVine To Score First Basket

• Odds: +900
• Edge: 2.8%
• Probability: 12.8%
• Game: Kings vs. Warriors (10:00PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Thursday's NBA slate in the game between the Kings and Warriors. The bet is on Zach LaVine (SAC) at odds of +900 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 2.8% according to our analysis.

Our model not only showcases LaVine for him 2.8% betting edge but also ranks him among the top 10 most likely first basket scorers for today, as seen in the preceding list.

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.

For today's full list of NBA prop picks, join 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!

Sign up with code 20BASKETBALL at checkout right now to receive 20% off your first month of Dimers Pro! This offer won't last forever.

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 [3/13/2025]

• Wizards vs. Pistons (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Lakers vs. Bucks (7:30PM ET, Thursday)
• Kings vs. Warriors (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: March 13, 2025

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 March 13, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial guidelines.

All of our NBA first basket picks for Thursday, March 13, are the result of thousands of 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 important that you practice responsible gambling 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.

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

Learn about how we review products and services.

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.

More About 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 and the latest NBA title odds and predictions.