NBA First Basket Predictions for Saturday Include Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards [1/18/2025]

This Saturday, January 18th, another action-packed day of NBA basketball is on the cards, headlined by the Suns' matchup against the Pistons at 4:00PM ET.

After going over Saturday's NBA simulations this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our 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 Saturday.

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

NBA Players to Watch Today

Based on the most recent injury reports, Saturday's NBA games are expected to feature star players such as Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry, each with a high probability of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First NBA Basket Tonight? [Cheat Sheet for January 18, 2025]

Thanks to simulating Saturday'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
Kevin Durant (Suns)	15.4%
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)	15.3%
Stephen Curry (Warriors)	15.0%
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	14.7%
Alperen Sengun (Rockets)	14.3%
Jordan Poole (Wizards)	14.1%
Jalen Green (Rockets)	13.8%
Devin Booker (Suns)	13.7%
Pascal Siakam (Pacers)	13.4%
Tyrese Maxey (76ers)	13.3%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's games is Kevin Durant, with a probability of 15.4%.

Following Durant closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Anthony Edwards at 15.3% and Stephen Curry at 15.0%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Saturday, 1/18/2025]

Having simulated the result of today's NBA matchups thousands of times each, our independent predictive analytics model has found the best NBA first basket betting pick for Saturday.

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

Anthony Edwards To Score First Basket

• Odds: +750
• Edge: 3.6%
• Probability: 15.3%
• Game: Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves (9:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Cavaliers and Timberwolves. The bet is on Anthony Edwards (MIN) at odds of +750 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.6% according to our analysis.

Not only does Edwards present an edge according to our model, but he is also among our top three most likely first basket scorers for today, as noted in the list above.

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 Saturday's data-driven NBA predictions, you can gain an advantage over everyone else.

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NBA News, Schedule Alerts and Updated Odds

• Read the latest news alerts from the official NBA feed
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• Find broadcasting and streaming options for today's NBA games

NBA Schedule for Today [1/18/2025]

• Suns vs. Pistons (4:00PM ET, Saturday)
• 76ers vs. Pacers (7:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Wizards vs. Warriors (8:30PM ET, Saturday)
• Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves (9:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Rockets vs. Trail Blazers (10:00PM ET, Saturday)

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

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: January 18, 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 18, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial standards.

All of our NBA first basket predictions for Saturday, January 18, have been generated thanks to thousands of data-driven game simulations, providing 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 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

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.

More on NBA

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

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