NBA First Basket Predictions, Odds and Value Bets Today [Sunday, 5/5/2024]

We have another action-packed day of NBA Playoffs upon us, and we've run thousands of simulations to find the most reliable NBA first basket picks and odds for Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Sunday's NBA Playoffs action is set to feature star players such as Donovan Mitchell, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, 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 bettors to wager on, and by using Sunday'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 have the highest likelihood of scoring the first basket on May 5.

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Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight: May 5, 2024

Thanks to simulating each one of Sunday'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
Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)	15.9%
Paolo Banchero (Magic)	15.1%
Franz Wagner (Magic)	13.6%
Darius Garland (Cavaliers)	12.3%
Jalen Suggs (Magic)	10.7%
Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)	10.1%
Isaac Okoro (Cavaliers)	5.2%
Gary Harris (Magic)	3.1%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket tonight is Donovan Mitchell, with a probability of 15.9%.

Additionally, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Paolo Banchero, with a 15.1% probability, and Franz Wagner, with a 13.6% probability. Remember, although this list shows the players with the highest probability of scoring the first basket on Sunday, it does not always mean 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: Sunday 5/5/2024

Having simulated the outcome of today's NBA Playoffs action thousands of times, our predictive model has generated the best NBA first basket bets for you to make on Sunday.

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1. Paolo Banchero To Score First Basket (+750)

• Odds: +750
• Edge: 3.3%
• Probability: 15.1%
• Game: Magic vs. Cavaliers (1:00PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today, which is in the game between the Magic and Cavaliers. The bet is on Paolo Banchero (ORL) at odds of +750 with FanDuel Sportsbook, and our model has found an edge of 3.3%.

The next two suggested bets are for Franz Wagner (1.8% edge) to score first in the Magic vs. Cavaliers game and Jalen Suggs (1.2%) to score the first basket, also in the Magic-Cavaliers matchup.

2. Franz Wagner To Score First Basket (+750)

• Odds: +750
• Edge: 1.8%
• Probability: 13.6%
• Game: Magic vs. Cavaliers (1:00PM ET)

The next best NBA first basket bet for Sunday also comes in the Magic vs. Cavaliers game, where our model has found an edge of 1.8% on Franz Wagner (ORL) at odds of +750 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

MORE: Sunday's Best NBA Bets

3. Jalen Suggs To Score First Basket (+950)

• Odds: +950
• Edge: 1.2%
• Probability: 10.7%
• Game: Magic vs. Cavaliers (1:00PM ET)

Our next NBA first basket bet today comes in the Magic vs. Cavaliers game, where our model has found an edge of 1.2% on Jalen Suggs (ORL) at odds of +950 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

MORE: Sunday's NBA Prop Picks

4. Darius Garland To Score First Basket (+800)

• Odds: +800
• Edge: 1.1%
• Probability: 12.3%
• Game: Magic vs. Cavaliers (1:00PM ET)

The next best first basket bet for today's NBA action comes in the Magic vs. Cavaliers game, where our model has found an edge of 1.1% on Darius Garland (CLE) at odds of +800 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Today's NBA Games

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

• Magic vs. Cavaliers Prediction (1:00PM ET, Sunday)

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: May 5, 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 May 5, 2024, and automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting. Human editing and quality control is performed to ensure the content meets our editorial guidelines.

All of Dimers' NBA first basket picks and predictions for Sunday, May 5, are made thanks to 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 predictions for your personal gambling, it's vital 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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