NBA First Basket Predictions for Thursday Include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miles Bridges [2/20/2025]

This Thursday, February 20th, we have another exciting day of NBA basketball upon us, headlined by the Grizzlies' matchup against the Pacers at 7:00PM ET.

After assessing Thursday's NBA simulations this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our team of data analysts have produced 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 latest NBA Injury Report, Thursday's NBA slate is expected to feature big names such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miles Bridges and LeBron James, each with a high probability of scoring first when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight? [NBA Cheat Sheet for February 20, 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.

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 18.7%.

Following Antetokounmpo closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Miles Bridges at 16.4% and LeBron James at 15.8%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Thursday, 2/20/2025]

After simulating the result of today's NBA matchups thousands of 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.

Tyrese Haliburton To Score First Basket

• Odds: +1700
• Edge: 6.1%
• Probability: 11.7%
• Game: Grizzlies vs. Pacers (7:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Thursday's NBA slate in the game between the Grizzlies and Pacers. The bet is on Tyrese Haliburton (IND) at odds of +1700 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 6.1% according to our analysis.

Although Haliburton 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 for an edge on the market.

Tyrese Haliburton First Basket Scorer

+1700

Bet $50
Payout $900Bet $50, Payout $900

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.

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 [2/20/2025]

• Grizzlies vs. Pacers (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Celtics vs. 76ers (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Bulls vs. Knicks (7:30PM ET, Thursday)
• Magic vs. Hawks (7:30PM ET, Thursday)
• Clippers vs. Bucks (8:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Lakers vs. Trail Blazers (10:00PM 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: February 20, 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 20, 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 picks and predictions for Thursday, February 20, 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 picks for sports betting, 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 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.