NBA First Basket Predictions for Thursday Include Paolo Banchero, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander [3/27/2025]

This Thursday, March 27th, it's time for a big day of NBA action, headlined by the Mavericks' matchup against the Magic at 7:00PM ET.

After analyzing Thursday's NBA simulation results early this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our team of data analysts have announced their best first basket bet of the day.

Additionally, this article reveals the NBA players our predictive analytics model has determined to have 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 games are expected to feature big names such as Paolo Banchero, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Collin Sexton, 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 March 27, 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.

Player (Team)	First Basket Probability
Paolo Banchero (Magic)	16.0%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	15.7%
Collin Sexton (Jazz)	15.0%
Anthony Davis (Mavericks)	13.6%
Jordan Poole (Wizards)	13.6%
Coby White (Bulls)	13.4%
Anfernee Simons (Trail Blazers)	13.2%
Franz Wagner (Magic)	13.1%
Alex Sarr (Wizards)	13.1%
Devin Vassell (Spurs)	13.0%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's games is Paolo Banchero, with a probability of 16.0%.

Following Banchero closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 15.7% and Collin Sexton at 15.0%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Thursday, 3/27/2025]

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

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

Zaccharie Risacher To Score First Basket

• Odds: +900
• Edge: 2.2%
• Probability: 12.2%
• Matchup: Hawks vs. Heat (7:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Thursday's NBA slate in the game between the Hawks and Heat. The bet is on Zaccharie Risacher (ATL) at odds of +900 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 2.2% according to our analysis.

Although Risacher 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 to gain 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 Thursday'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 [3/27/2025]

• Mavericks vs. Magic (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Pacers vs. Wizards (7:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Hawks vs. Heat (7:30PM ET, Thursday)
• Grizzlies vs. Thunder (8:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Rockets vs. Jazz (9:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Trail Blazers vs. Kings (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: March 27, 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 27, 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 Thursday, March 27, have been generated thanks to 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 your personal gambling, it's important 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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