NBA First Basket Predictions for Thursday Include Kevin Durant, Collin Sexton [1/9/2025]

This Thursday, January 9th, it's time for an exciting day of NBA action, headlined by the Raptors' matchup against the Cavaliers at 7:00PM ET.

After going over Thursday's NBA simulations early this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our team of data experts 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 selected as having the highest probability of scoring the first basket in their respective matchups on Thursday.

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

NBA Players to Watch Today

Based on the most recent injury reports, Thursday's NBA games are expected to showcase star players such as Kevin Durant, Collin Sexton 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 9, 2025]

Thanks to simulating Thursday'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)	16.4%
Collin Sexton (Jazz)	15.8%
Stephen Curry (Warriors)	15.2%
LaMelo Ball (Hornets)	15.1%
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	15.0%
LeBron James (Lakers)	14.8%
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)	14.7%
Cole Anthony (Magic)	14.4%
Lauri Markkanen (Jazz)	13.4%
Jalen Green (Rockets)	13.3%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's matchups is Kevin Durant, with a probability of 16.4%.

Following Durant closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Collin Sexton at 15.8% and Stephen Curry at 15.2%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Thursday, 1/9/2025]

After simulating the outcome of today's NBA matchups 10,000 times each, our predictive model has discovered the best NBA first basket betting pick for Thursday.

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

RJ Barrett To Score First Basket

• Odds: +1100
• Edge: 3.8%
• Probability: 12.2%
• Game: Raptors vs. Cavaliers (7:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Thursday's NBA slate in the game between the Raptors and Cavaliers. The bet is on RJ Barrett (TOR) at odds of +1100 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.8% according to our analysis.

Although Barrett doesn't feature in our model's top 10 most likely first basket scorers for Thursday's NBA slate, he does present the best betting opportunity for those looking 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 Thursday's data-driven NBA predictions, you can gain an advantage over everyone else.

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To increase your chances of winning when betting on NBA props, it's important to keep an eye on favorable odds.

NBA News, Schedule Alerts and Updated Odds

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• Find broadcasting and streaming options for today's NBA games

NBA Schedule for Today [1/9/2025]

• Raptors vs. Cavaliers (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Timberwolves vs. Magic (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Warriors vs. Pistons (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Trail Blazers vs. Mavericks (7:30PM ET, Thursday)
• Rockets vs. Grizzlies (8:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Heat vs. Jazz (9:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Hawks vs. Suns (9:00PM ET, Thursday)

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

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: January 9, 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 9, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial guidelines.

All of Dimers' NBA first basket picks for Thursday, January 9, have been made after thousands of 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 sports betting, it's vital 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 on NBA

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

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