NBA First Basket Predictions for Friday Include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander [12/20/2024]

This Friday, December 20th, we have another action-packed day of NBA basketball upon us, headlined by the Bucks' matchup against the Cavaliers at 7:30PM ET.

After scrutinizing Friday's NBA simulation results early this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our team of data experts have revealed 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 greatest chance of scoring the first basket in their respective matchups on Friday.

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

NBA Players to Watch Today

Based on the most recent injury reports, Friday's NBA games are expected to showcase players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyler Herro, 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 20, 2024]

Thanks to simulating Friday'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
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)	25.0%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	17.7%
Tyler Herro (Heat)	13.4%
Miles Bridges (Hornets)	13.2%
Jalen Williams (Thunder)	12.7%
Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)	12.6%
Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)	12.6%
Tyrese Maxey (76ers)	12.3%
Darius Garland (Cavaliers)	12.2%
Joel Embiid (76ers)	11.6%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in any of today's matchups is Giannis Antetokounmpo, with a probability of 25.0%.

Following Antetokounmpo closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 17.7% and Tyler Herro at 13.4%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Friday, 12/20/2024]

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

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

Giannis Antetokounmpo To Score First Basket

• Odds: +480
• Edge: 7.8%
• Probability: 25%
• Matchup: Bucks vs. Cavaliers (7:30PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Friday's NBA slate in the game between the Bucks and Cavaliers. The bet is on Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) at odds of +480 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 7.8% according to our analysis.

Our model not only features Antetokounmpo for him 7.8% betting edge but also ranks him as the number one most likely first basket scorer for today, as seen in the earlier 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 Friday'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 [12/20/2024]

• Bucks vs. Cavaliers (7:30PM ET, Friday)
• Thunder vs. Heat (8:00PM ET, Friday)

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

Tonight's NBA First Basket Picks: December 20, 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 20, 2024. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial guidelines.

All of our NBA first basket picks and predictions for Friday, December 20, have been made after rigorous data-driven game simulations, providing reliable and accurate NBA predictions to help you make informed decisions.

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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.

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