NBA First Basket Predictions for Friday Include Quentin Grimes, Paolo Banchero [3/21/2025]

This Friday, March 21st, another big day of NBA basketball is on the cards, headlined by the Magic's matchup against the Wizards at 7:00PM ET.

After scrutinizing Friday's NBA simulation results this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our data experts have produced their best first basket bet of the day.

Additionally, this article reveals the NBA players our predictive analytics model has identified as having the highest probability 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 latest NBA Injury Report, Friday's NBA games are expected to feature big names such as Quentin Grimes, Paolo Banchero and Miles Bridges, each with a high probability of opening the scoring when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight? [NBA Cheat Sheet for March 21, 2025]

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
Quentin Grimes (76ers)	18.1%
Paolo Banchero (Magic)	16.4%
Miles Bridges (Hornets)	16.3%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	15.4%
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	14.8%
Anfernee Simons (Trail Blazers)	14.6%
Jayson Tatum (Celtics)	14.3%
Collin Sexton (Jazz)	13.5%
Kyle Filipowski (Jazz)	13.5%
Aaron Gordon (Nuggets)	13.4%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across today's games is Quentin Grimes, with a probability of 18.1%.

Following Grimes closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Paolo Banchero at 16.4% and Miles Bridges at 16.3%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Friday, 3/21/2025]

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

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

Kyle Filipowski To Score First Basket

• Odds: +900
• Edge: 3.5%
• Probability: 13.5%
• Game: Celtics vs. Jazz (9:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Friday's NBA slate in the game between the Celtics and Jazz. The bet is on Kyle Filipowski (UTA) at odds of +900 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.5% according to our analysis.

Our model not only features Filipowski for him 3.5% betting edge but also ranks him among the top 10 most likely first basket scorers for today, as seen in the preceding 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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NBA Schedule for Today [3/21/2025]

• Magic vs. Wizards (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Rockets vs. Heat (8:00PM ET, Friday)
• Pistons vs. Mavericks (8:30PM ET, Friday)
• Celtics vs. Jazz (9:30PM ET, Friday)
• Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers (10:00PM ET, Friday)
• Cavaliers vs. Suns (10:00PM ET, Friday)
• Grizzlies vs. Clippers (10:30PM 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: March 21, 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 March 21, 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 Friday, March 21, have been generated after 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 predictions for sports betting, it's vital that you gamble responsibly 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 on NBA

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

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