Jun 5, 2026
Knicks vs. Spurs prediction: San Antonio to win, Victor Wembanyama projected for 28 points in Game 2 of 2026 Finals
Read Article NBA first basket picks and predictions for Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Updated: | First published:
Written by Damien Souness, Chief Experience Officer
Get first basket predictions today driven by expert analysis of NBA slate on 4/1.
Our NBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Wednesday, April 1, 2026—are live with the Pacers' Pascal Siakam projected as the most likely player to score first.
These projections draw on detailed first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily NBA player projections.
Siakam, Victor Wembanyama and Tyrese Maxey lead Wednesday’s most likely first basket scorers, while we also highlight tonight's best first basket value picks by comparing real-time odds to model-generated probabilities.
NBA first basket predictions tonight (April 1, 2026)
| Player | Team | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | Pacers | 17.7% |
| Victor Wembanyama | Spurs | 16.2% |
| Tyrese Maxey | 76ers | 14.4% |
| Jaylen Brown | Celtics | 14.2% |
| RJ Barrett | Raptors | 13.9% |
| Collin Sexton | Bulls | 13.7% |
| Jayson Tatum | Celtics | 13.6% |
| Brice Sensabaugh | Jazz | 13.6% |
| Alperen Sengun | Rockets | 13.1% |
| Tre Jones | Bulls | 13.1% |
| Kevin Durant | Rockets | 13.0% |
| Nikola Jokic | Nuggets | 12.8% |
| Tyler Herro | Heat | 12.8% |
| Gui Santos | Warriors | 12.6% |
| CJ McCollum | Hawks | 12.6% |
NBA first basket picks today (April 1, 2026)
| Player | Team | Edge | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collin Sexton | Bulls | 3.7% | +900 | 13.7% |
| Jayson Tatum | Celtics | 3.6% | +900 | 13.6% |
| Tre Jones | Bulls | 2.6% | +850 | 13.1% |
| Jaylen Brown | Celtics | 1.7% | +700 | 14.2% |
| Tre Johnson | Wizards | 1.5% | +1000 | 10.6% |
| DeMar DeRozan | Kings | 1.3% | +800 | 12.4% |
| Jalen Johnson | Hawks | 1.2% | +900 | 11.2% |
| Brice Sensabaugh | Jazz | 1.1% | +700 | 13.6% |
| Olivier-Maxence Prosper | Grizzlies | 0.8% | +850 | 11.4% |
| RJ Barrett | Raptors | 0.6% | +650 | 13.9% |
| Tristan Vukcevic | Wizards | 0.5% | +750 | 12.3% |
| VJ Edgecombe | 76ers | 0.5% | +750 | 12.3% |
| CJ McCollum | Hawks | 0.1% | +700 | 12.6% |
Edges represent the difference between model probability and implied odds.
For more insights on prop markets and value plays across the league, explore our full list of NBA prop bets for 4/1.
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Pascal Siakam, Victor Wembanyama and Tyrese Maxey lead our first basket projections, while Collin Sexton shapes as the strongest value play at +900. All picks and predictions are derived from Dimers’ NBA first basket model.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
Damien Souness is Chief Experience Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, helping lead sports media brands such as Dimers. He specializes in creating trustworthy and data-driven content for sports fans, with experience working for globally recognized sports and media organizations.
Advertiser disclosure
