NBA First Basket Predictions for Saturday Include Paolo Banchero, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander [3/29/2025]

This Saturday, March 29th, it's time for a big day of NBA basketball, headlined by the Kings' matchup against the Magic at 5:00PM ET.

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

Get Your First Month For the Price of 1 Week with Promo Code MARCH

Get Dimers Pro

Additionally, this article reveals the NBA players our predictive analytics model has projected to have 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 Paolo Banchero, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Quentin Grimes, each with a high probability of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight? [NBA Cheat Sheet for March 29, 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.

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in any of today's games is Paolo Banchero, with a probability of 17.0%.

Following Banchero closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 16.7% and Quentin Grimes at 15.0%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Saturday, 3/29/2025]

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

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

Tyrese Haliburton To Score First Basket

• Odds: +1100
• Edge: 3.3%
• Probability: 11.6%
• Matchup: Pacers vs. Thunder (8:00PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Pacers and Thunder. The bet is on Tyrese Haliburton (IND) at odds of +1100 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.3% according to our analysis.

Although Haliburton 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 looking for an edge on the market.

Tyrese Haliburton First Basket Scorer

+1100

Bet $50
Payout $600Bet $50, Payout $600

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!

Get All 12 First Basket Picks for Saturday

Get Dimers Pro

Sign up with code MARCH at checkout right now to receive one month of Dimers Profor the price of one week! This offer won't last forever.

NBA News, Schedule Alerts and Updated Odds

• Read the latest news alerts from the official NBA feed
• Check updated NBA odds
• Find broadcasting and streaming options for today's NBA games

NBA Schedule for Today [3/29/2025]

• Kings vs. Magic (5:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Heat vs. 76ers (7:30PM ET, Saturday)
• Pacers vs. Thunder (8:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Mavericks vs. Bulls (8:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Lakers vs. Grizzlies (8:00PM 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: March 29, 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 29, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial guidelines.

All of Dimers' NBA first basket picks for Saturday, March 29, are the result of thousands of 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 predictions for your personal gambling, it's crucial 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.

Note: Clicking links to our sportsbook partners may earn us a referral fee.

Learn about how we review products and services.

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.

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.