NBA First Basket Predictions for Monday Include Nikola Jokic, Cade Cunningham [12/16/2024]

This Monday, December 16th, it's time for an action-packed day of NBA basketball, headlined by the Heat's matchup against the Pistons at 7:00PM ET.

After analyzing Monday's NBA simulation results 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 greatest chance of scoring the first basket in their respective matchups on Monday.

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

NBA Players to Watch Today

Based on the most recent injury reports, Monday's NBA games are expected to feature players such as Nikola Jokic, Cade Cunningham and LaMelo Ball, 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 December 16, 2024]

Thanks to simulating Monday'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
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)	16.2%
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	15.6%
LaMelo Ball (Hornets)	15.5%
RJ Barrett (Raptors)	14.5%
Norman Powell (Clippers)	14.5%
Cameron Johnson (Nets)	14.4%
Nikola Vucevic (Bulls)	14.2%
Ivica Zubac (Clippers)	13.4%
Tyler Herro (Heat)	13.3%
James Harden (Clippers)	12.8%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's matchups is Nikola Jokic, with a probability of 16.2%.

Following Jokic closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Cade Cunningham at 15.6% and LaMelo Ball at 15.5%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Monday, 12/16/2024]

After simulating the outcome of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our predictive model has found the best NBA first basket bet for you to make on Monday.

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

Nikola Vucevic To Score First Basket

• Odds: +800
• Edge: 3.1%
• Probability: 14.2%
• Matchup: Bulls vs. Raptors (7:30PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Monday's NBA slate in the game between the Bulls and Raptors. The bet is on Nikola Vucevic (CHI) at odds of +800 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.1% according to our analysis.

Not only does Vucevic present an edge according to our model, but he is also among our top 10 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 Monday'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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• Find broadcasting and streaming options for today's NBA games

NBA Schedule for Today [12/16/2024]

• Heat vs. Pistons (7:00PM ET, Monday)
• Bulls vs. Raptors (7:30PM ET, Monday)
• Nuggets vs. Kings (10:00PM ET, Monday)
• Jazz vs. Clippers (10:30PM ET, Monday)

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

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: December 16, 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 December 16, 2024. 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 for Monday, December 16, have been made thanks to rigorous 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 important 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 About NBA

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

For more NBA betting content, we have NBA trends for every game, as well as daily NBA betting news and the latest NBA title odds and predictions.