NBA First Basket Predictions for Monday Include Cade Cunningham, Nikola Jokic [4/21/2025]

This Monday, April 21st, another exciting day of NBA action is on the cards, headlined by the Pistons' matchup against the Knicks at 7:30PM ET.

After examining Monday's NBA simulations 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 identified as having 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 Play-In Tournment games are expected to showcase big names such as Cade Cunningham, Nikola Jokic and Kawhi Leonard, 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 April 21, 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.

Player (Team)	First Basket Probability
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	15.4%
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)	14.6%
Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)	13.2%
Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)	12.2%
Ivica Zubac (Clippers)	11.7%
Jalen Brunson (Knicks)	11.6%
OG Anunoby (Knicks)	11.2%
James Harden (Clippers)	10.9%
Jamal Murray (Nuggets)	9.9%
Jalen Duren (Pistons)	9.1%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's games is Cade Cunningham, with a probability of 15.4%.

Following Cunningham closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Nikola Jokic at 14.6% and Kawhi Leonard at 13.2%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Monday, 4/21/2025]

Having simulated the outcome of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our independent 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.

Cade Cunningham To Score First Basket

• Odds: +700
• Edge: 2.9%
• Probability: 15.4%
• Matchup: Pistons vs. Knicks (7:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Pistons and Knicks. The bet is on Cade Cunningham (DET) at odds of +700 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 2.9% according to our analysis.

Our model not only highlights Cunningham for him 2.9% betting edge but also ranks him as the number one most likely first basket scorer 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 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!

NBA News, Schedule Alerts and Updated Odds

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NBA Schedule for Today [4/21/2025]

• Pistons vs. Knicks (7:30PM ET, Monday)
• Clippers vs. Nuggets (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: April 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 April 21, 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 Monday, April 21, have been made thanks to thousands of data-driven game simulations, giving you reliable and accurate NBA predictions to help you make informed decisions.

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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.

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