NBA First Basket Predictions for Sunday Include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo [1/19/2025]

This Sunday, January 19th, another exciting day of NBA basketball is on the cards, headlined by the 76ers' matchup against the Bucks at 7:00PM ET.

After assessing Sunday'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 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 games are expected to feature star players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Paolo Banchero, each with a high chance of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First NBA Basket Tonight? [Cheat Sheet for January 19, 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
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	19.2%
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)	19.2%
Paolo Banchero (Magic)	15.2%
Zach LaVine (Bulls)	14.8%
Jordan Poole (Wizards)	14.7%
LeBron James (Lakers)	14.2%
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)	14.0%
Cameron Johnson (Nets)	13.9%
Nikola Vucevic (Bulls)	13.2%
Tyrese Maxey (76ers)	13.1%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in any of today's games is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with a probability of 19.2%.

Following Gilgeous-Alexander closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Giannis Antetokounmpo at 19.2% and Paolo Banchero at 15.2%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Sunday, 1/19/2025]

Having simulated the outcome of today's NBA matchups 10,000 times each, our predictive model has generated the best NBA first basket betting pick for Sunday.

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

Coby White To Score First Basket

• Odds: +1200
• Edge: 3.4%
• Probability: 11.1%
• Game: Bulls vs. Trail Blazers (9:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Bulls and Trail Blazers. The bet is on Coby White (CHI) at odds of +1200 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.4% according to our analysis.

Although White doesn't feature in our model's top 10 most likely first basket scorers for Sunday's NBA slate, he does present the best betting opportunity for those aiming to gain an edge on the market.

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 [1/19/2025]

• 76ers vs. Bucks (7:00PM ET, Sunday)
• Bulls vs. Trail Blazers (9:00PM ET, Sunday)
• Wizards vs. Kings (9:00PM ET, Sunday)
• Lakers vs. Clippers (9:00PM ET, Sunday)

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

Tonight's NBA First Basket Picks: January 19, 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 19, 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 picks and predictions for Sunday, January 19, are based on rigorous 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 gamble responsibly 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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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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