NBA First Basket Predictions for Saturday Include Zion Williamson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander [2/8/2025]

This Saturday, February 8th, another action-packed day of NBA basketball is on the cards, headlined by the Pacers' matchup against the Lakers at 4:00PM ET.

After scrutinizing Saturday's NBA simulations early this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our data experts 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 greatest chance 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 feature players such as Zion Williamson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jordan Clarkson, 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 8, 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
Zion Williamson (Pelicans)	17.3%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	17.0%
Jordan Clarkson (Jazz)	15.1%
Franz Wagner (Magic)	15.0%
Kevin Durant (Suns)	14.9%
Devin Booker (Suns)	14.3%
Pascal Siakam (Pacers)	14.0%
Stephen Curry (Warriors)	14.0%
Deandre Ayton (Trail Blazers)	13.9%
Anthony Davis (Mavericks)	13.7%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's matchups is Zion Williamson, with a probability of 17.3%.

Following Williamson closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 17.0% and Jordan Clarkson at 15.1%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Saturday, 2/8/2025]

After simulating the outcome of today's NBA matchups thousands of times each, our independent 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.

Kawhi Leonard To Score First Basket

• Odds: +1000
• Edge: 3.9%
• Probability: 13%
• Matchup: Jazz vs. Clippers (10:30PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Saturday's NBA slate in the game between the Jazz and Clippers. The bet is on Kawhi Leonard (LAC) at odds of +1000 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.9% according to our analysis.

Although Leonard doesn't feature in our model's top 10 most likely first basket scorers for Saturday's NBA slate, he does present the best betting opportunity for those aiming for 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 Saturday'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 [2/8/2025]

• Pacers vs. Lakers (4:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Hawks vs. Wizards (7:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Warriors vs. Bulls (8:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Thunder vs. Grizzlies (8:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Jazz vs. Clippers (10:30PM 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 8, 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 8, 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 for Saturday, February 8, are based on rigorous 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 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

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.