NBA First Basket Predictions, Odds and Value Bets Today [Saturday, 4/20/2024]

It's time for a big day of NBA action, and we've simulated all of today's matchups 10,000 times to find the best NBA first basket picks and odds for Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Saturday's NBA slate features big names such as Jalen Brunson, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, each with a high probability of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

NBA first basket props have become one of the more popular options for NBA fans to bet on, and by using Saturday's data-driven NBA predictions below, you can gain an advantage over other bettors.

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 April 20.

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Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight: April 20, 2024

Thanks to simulating each one of Saturday'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
Jalen Brunson (Knicks)	18.1%
Joel Embiid (76ers)	15.4%
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)	14.5%
Kevin Durant (Suns)	13.6%
Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers)	13.4%
Franz Wagner (Magic)	13.3%
Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves)	13.1%
LeBron James (Lakers)	12.9%
Paolo Banchero (Magic)	12.6%
Jamal Murray (Nuggets)	12.4%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's games is Jalen Brunson, with a probability of 18.1%.

Additionally, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Joel Embiid, with a 15.4% probability, and Nikola Jokic, with a 14.5% probability. Remember, although this list shows the players most likely to score the first basket on Saturday, it does not necessarily indicate they are suggested 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 Today: Saturday 4/20/2024

After simulating the outcome of today's NBA matchups 10,000 times each, our trusted predictive analytics model, DimersBOT, has discovered the best NBA first basket betting picks for Saturday.

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1. Jalen Brunson To Score First Basket (+650)

• Odds: +650
• Edge: 4.8%
• Probability: 18.1%
• Matchup: 76ers vs. Knicks (6:00PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate, which is in the game between the 76ers and Knicks. The bet is on Jalen Brunson (NYK) at odds of +650 with FanDuel Sportsbook, and our model has found an edge of 4.8%.

The next two recommended plays are for Darius Garland (2.1% edge) to score first in the Magic vs. Cavaliers game and Mike Conley (1.5%) to score the first basket in the Suns vs. Timberwolves matchup.

2. Darius Garland To Score First Basket (+1300)

• Odds: +1300
• Edge: 2.1%
• Probability: 9.2%
• Matchup: Magic vs. Cavaliers (1:00PM ET)

The next best NBA first basket bet for today comes in the Magic vs. Cavaliers game, where our model has found an edge of 2.1% on Darius Garland (CLE) at odds of +1300 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

MORE: Saturday's Best NBA Bets

3. Mike Conley To Score First Basket (+1300)

• Odds: +1300
• Edge: 1.5%
• Probability: 8.7%
• Game: Suns vs. Timberwolves (3:30PM ET)

Our next NBA first basket bet on Saturday comes in the Suns vs. Timberwolves game, where our model has found an edge of 1.5% on Mike Conley (MIN) at odds of +1300 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

MORE: Saturday's NBA Prop Picks

4. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope To Score First Basket (+1800)

• Odds: +1800
• Edge: 1.1%
• Probability: 6.4%
• Matchup: Lakers vs. Nuggets (8:30PM ET)

The next best first basket bet for today's NBA action comes in the Lakers vs. Nuggets game, where our model has found an edge of 1.1% on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (DEN) at odds of +1800 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

5. Rui Hachimura To Score First Basket (+1000)

• Odds: +1000
• Edge: 0.5%
• Probability: 9.6%
• Game: Lakers vs. Nuggets (8:30PM ET)

Rounding out Dimers' top five NBA first basket bets for today is Rui Hachimura (LAL) at odds of +1000 in the Lakers vs. Nuggets game. Here, our model has found an edge of 0.5% with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Today's NBA Games

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

• Magic vs. Cavaliers Prediction (1:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Suns vs. Timberwolves Prediction (3:30PM ET, Saturday)
• 76ers vs. Knicks Prediction (6:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Lakers vs. Nuggets Prediction (8:30PM ET, Saturday)

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.

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: April 20, 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 April 20, 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 predictions for Saturday, April 20, are the result of rigorous data-driven game simulations, giving you reliable and accurate NBA predictions to help you make informed decisions.

If you plan to use today's NBA first basket picks for your personal gambling, it's crucial 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.

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