NBA First Basket Predictions for Monday Include Paolo Banchero, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander [3/31/2025]

This Monday, March 31st, it's time for an exciting day of NBA action, headlined by the Clippers' matchup against the Magic at 7:00PM ET.

After going over Monday's NBA simulation results early this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our team of data experts have announced 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 determined to have the greatest chance of scoring the first basket in their respective matchups on Monday.

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, Monday's NBA games are expected to showcase big names such as Paolo Banchero, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Sarr, 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 31, 2025]

Thanks to simulating Monday'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 across all of today's matchups is Paolo Banchero, with a probability of 17.4%.

Following Banchero closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 15.3% and Alex Sarr at 14.6%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Monday, 3/31/2025]

Having simulated the result of today's NBA matchups 10K times each, our trusted predictive analytics model has discovered the best NBA first basket betting pick for Monday.

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

Kawhi Leonard To Score First Basket

• Odds: +850
• Edge: 2.5%
• Probability: 13.1%
• Game: Clippers vs. Magic (7:00PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Clippers and Magic. The bet is on Kawhi Leonard (LAC) at odds of +850 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 2.5% according to our analysis.

Although Leonard doesn't feature in our model's top 10 most likely first basket scorers for Monday's NBA slate, he does present the best betting opportunity for those aiming for an edge on the market.

Kawhi Leonard First Basket Scorer

+850

Bet $50
Payout $475Bet $50, Payout $475

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 Monday'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 15 First Basket Picks for Monday

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 [3/31/2025]

• Clippers vs. Magic (7:00PM ET, Monday)
• Kings vs. Pacers (7:00PM ET, Monday)
• Heat vs. Wizards (7:00PM ET, Monday)
• Celtics vs. Grizzlies (7:30PM ET, Monday)
• Bulls vs. Thunder (8:00PM ET, Monday)
• Rockets vs. Lakers (10:00PM ET, Monday)

For more betting guides, check out Monday's NBA best bets and our NBA player prop picks for Monday.

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: March 31, 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 31, 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 and predictions for Monday, March 31, have been made thanks to 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 picks for sports betting, it's crucial that you practice responsible gambling 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 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.