NBA First Basket Predictions for Saturday Include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James [2/1/2025]

This Saturday, February 1st, we have another exciting day of NBA ahead of us, headlined by the Magic's matchup against the Jazz at 5:00PM ET.

After reviewing 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.

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 Saturday.

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

NBA Players to Watch Today

Based on the most recent latest NBA Injury Report, Saturday's NBA games are expected to showcase big names such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James and Franz Wagner, each with a high chance of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight? [NBA Cheat Sheet for February 1, 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
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	20.3%
LeBron James (Lakers)	15.9%
Franz Wagner (Magic)	14.7%
Pascal Siakam (Pacers)	14.7%
Miles Bridges (Hornets)	14.4%
Tyler Herro (Heat)	14.2%
Jalen Brunson (Knicks)	14.1%
Kevin Durant (Suns)	14.0%
Mark Williams (Hornets)	14.0%
Deandre Ayton (Trail Blazers)	13.4%

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 20.3%.

Following Gilgeous-Alexander closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are LeBron James at 15.9% and Franz Wagner at 14.7%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Saturday, 2/1/2025]

Having simulated the result of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our leading 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.

Franz Wagner To Score First Basket

• Odds: +700
• Edge: 2.2%
• Probability: 14.7%
• Game: Magic vs. Jazz (5:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Magic and Jazz. The bet is on Franz Wagner (ORL) at odds of +700 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 2.2% according to our analysis.

Not only does Wagner 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.

For today's full list of NBA prop picks, join Dimers Pro. We give you the tools and information to succeed with hundreds of data-driven bets across thousands of games. Sign up now to join the community!

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NBA News, Schedule Alerts and Updated Odds

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NBA Schedule for Today [2/1/2025]

• Magic vs. Jazz (5:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Hawks vs. Pacers (5:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Wizards vs. Timberwolves (8:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Kings vs. Thunder (8:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Lakers vs. Knicks (8:30PM 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: February 1, 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 February 1, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial standards.

All of Dimers' NBA first basket predictions for Saturday, February 1, are based on thousands of 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 your personal gambling, it's important that you practice responsible gambling 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 on NBA

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

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