NBA First Basket Predictions for Sunday Include Collin Sexton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander [1/12/2025]

This Sunday, January 12th, we have another big day of professional hoops upon us, headlined by the Pacers' matchup against the Cavaliers at 6:00PM ET.

After scrutinizing Sunday's NBA simulation results this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our team of data analysts have announced their best first basket bet of the day.

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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 Sunday.

Let's dive into today's NBA first basket news and updates.

NBA Players to Watch Today

Based on the most recent injury reports, Sunday's NBA slate is expected to feature big names such as Collin Sexton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Paolo Banchero, each with a high chance of scoring first when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First NBA Basket Tonight? [Cheat Sheet for January 12, 2025]

Thanks to simulating Sunday'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
Collin Sexton (Jazz)	23.2%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	19.4%
Paolo Banchero (Magic)	16.2%
Kevin Durant (Suns)	15.4%
LaMelo Ball (Hornets)	15.1%
Devin Booker (Suns)	13.4%
Jaylen Brown (Celtics)	13.3%
CJ McCollum (Pelicans)	13.1%
Pascal Siakam (Pacers)	13.0%
Jordan Poole (Wizards)	12.6%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's matchups is Collin Sexton, with a probability of 23.2%.

Following Sexton closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 19.4% and Paolo Banchero at 16.2%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Sunday, 1/12/2025]

Having simulated the result of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our predictive model has discovered the best NBA first basket bet for you to make on Sunday.

For full access to our comprehensive analysis and top picks, subscribe to Dimers Pro.

Pascal Siakam To Score First Basket

• Odds: +950
• Edge: 3.5%
• Probability: 13%
• Game: Pacers vs. Cavaliers (6:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Sunday's NBA slate in the game between the Pacers and Cavaliers. The bet is on Pascal Siakam (IND) at odds of +950 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.5% according to our analysis.

Dimers' model not only features Siakam for him 3.5% betting edge but also ranks him among the top 10 most likely first basket scorers for today, as seen in the above 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 Sunday's data-driven NBA predictions, you can gain an advantage over everyone else.

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NBA News, Schedule Alerts and Updated Odds

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NBA Schedule for Today [1/12/2025]

• Pacers vs. Cavaliers (6:00PM ET, Sunday)
• 76ers vs. Magic (6:00PM ET, Sunday)
• Thunder vs. Wizards (6:00PM ET, Sunday)

For more betting guides, check out Sunday's NBA best bets and our NBA player prop picks for Sunday.

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: January 12, 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 January 12, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial standards.

All of Dimers' NBA first basket predictions for Sunday, January 12, are the result of thousands of data-driven game simulations, providing 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 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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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.

More About NBA

This article is part of our NBA player props and NBA best bets series.

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