NBA First Basket Predictions, Odds and Value Bets Today - Monday 3/18/2024

Another exciting day of NBA basketball is on the menu, and we've simulated all of today's games 10,000 times to find the most reliable NBA first basket picks and odds for Monday, March 18, 2024.

Monday's NBA games are expected to showcase star players such as Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards, each with a high probability of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

NBA first basket props are one of the most popular options for NBA bettors to wager on, and by using Monday's data-backed NBA predictions below, you can gain an edge 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 March 18.

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: March 18, 2024

Thanks to simulating each one of Monday'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
Tyrese Maxey (76ers)	18.0%
Jalen Brunson (Knicks)	17.9%
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)	17.4%
De'Aaron Fox (Kings)	16.0%
Deandre Ayton (Trail Blazers)	15.9%
Dejounte Murray (Hawks)	15.0%
Nikola Vucevic (Bulls)	15.0%
Jaylen Brown (Celtics)	14.9%
Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors)	14.9%
Kelly Oubre (76ers)	14.6%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's matchups is Tyrese Maxey, with a probability of 18.0%.

Additionally, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Jalen Brunson, with a 17.9% probability, and Anthony Edwards, with a 17.4% probability. Remember, although this list shows the players with the highest probability of scoring the first basket on Monday, it does not necessarily indicate they are recommended bets according to our predictive analytics model.

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

Best First Basket Picks Tonight: Monday 3/18/2024

After simulating the result of today's NBA matchups 10K times each, our predictive model has found the best NBA first basket betting picks for Monday.

1. Cade Cunningham To Score First Basket (+950)

• Odds: +950
• Edge: 4.7%
• Probability: 14.2%
• Game: Pistons vs. Celtics (7:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Monday's NBA slate, which is in the game between the Pistons and Celtics. The bet is on Cade Cunningham (DET) at odds of +950 with FanDuel Sportsbook, and our model has found an edge of 4.7%.

The next two suggested bets are for Keyonte George (2.9% edge) to score first in the Timberwolves vs. Jazz game and Kelly Oubre (2.9%) to score the first basket in the Heat vs. 76ers matchup.

2. Keyonte George To Score First Basket (+1000)

• Odds: +1000
• Edge: 2.9%
• Probability: 12%
• Matchup: Timberwolves vs. Jazz (9:00PM ET)

The next best NBA first basket bet for Monday comes in the Timberwolves vs. Jazz game, where our model has found an edge of 2.9% on Keyonte George (UTA) at odds of +1000 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

**MORE: [Monday's Best NBA Bets](https://www.dimers.com/news/nba-picks-today-and-best-bets-monday-3182024]

3. Kelly Oubre To Score First Basket (+750)

• Odds: +750
• Edge: 2.9%
• Probability: 14.6%
• Game: Heat vs. 76ers (7:30PM ET)

Our next NBA first basket bet on Monday comes in the Heat vs. 76ers game, where our model has found an edge of 2.9% on Kelly Oubre (PHI) at odds of +750 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

**MORE: [Monday's NBA Prop Picks](https://www.dimers.com/news/nba-picks-today-and-best-bets-monday-march-18-2024]

4. De'Aaron Fox To Score First Basket (+650)

• Odds: +650
• Edge: 2.7%
• Probability: 16%
• Game: Grizzlies vs. Kings (10:00PM ET)

The next best first basket bet for today's NBA action comes in the Grizzlies vs. Kings game, where our model has found an edge of 2.7% on De'Aaron Fox (SAC) at odds of +650 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

5. Dejounte Murray To Score First Basket (+700)

• Odds: +700
• Edge: 2.5%
• Probability: 15%
• Matchup: Hawks vs. Lakers (10:30PM ET)

Rounding out Dimers' top five NBA first basket bets for today is Dejounte Murray (ATL) at odds of +700 in the Hawks vs. Lakers game. Here, our model has found an edge of 2.5% with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Today's NBA Games

For more NBA picks and props, check out our full betting previews for each game on the Monday slate:

• Cavaliers vs. Pacers Prediction (7:00PM ET, Monday)
• Pistons vs. Celtics Prediction (7:30PM ET, Monday)
• Heat vs. 76ers Prediction (7:30PM ET, Monday)
• Trail Blazers vs. Bulls Prediction (8:00PM ET, Monday)
• Timberwolves vs. Jazz Prediction (9:00PM ET, Monday)
• Grizzlies vs. Kings Prediction (10:00PM ET, Monday)
• Knicks vs. Warriors Prediction (10:00PM ET, Monday)
• Hawks vs. Lakers Prediction (10:30PM ET, Monday)

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: March 18, 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 March 18, 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 Dimers' NBA first basket picks for Monday, March 18, are made after rigorous 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 predictions for your personal gambling, it's crucial that you practice responsible gambling 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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