NBA First Basket Predictions for Saturday Include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant [4/5/2025]

This Saturday, April 5th, it's time for a big day of NBA basketball, headlined by the Timberwolves' matchup against the 76ers at 7:00PM ET.

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

Additionally, this article reveals the NBA players our predictive analytics model has selected as having 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 star players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant and Anthony Davis, each with a high chance of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight? [NBA Cheat Sheet for April 5, 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.

Player (Team)	First Basket Probability
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)	15.9%
Ja Morant (Grizzlies)	15.2%
Anthony Davis (Mavericks)	15.0%
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	14.8%
Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)	14.0%
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)	14.0%
Bam Adebayo (Heat)	13.5%
Quentin Grimes (76ers)	13.4%
Julius Randle (Timberwolves)	11.7%
Ivica Zubac (Clippers)	11.3%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across today's games is Giannis Antetokounmpo, with a probability of 15.9%.

Following Antetokounmpo closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Ja Morant at 15.2% and Anthony Davis at 15.0%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Saturday, 4/5/2025]

Having simulated the result of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our independent predictive analytics model has found the best NBA first basket betting pick for Saturday.

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

Quentin Grimes To Score First Basket

• Odds: +950
• Edge: 3.9%
• Probability: 13.4%
• Game: Timberwolves vs. 76ers (7:00PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Timberwolves and 76ers. The bet is on Quentin Grimes (PHI) at odds of +950 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.9% according to our analysis.

Dimers' model not only highlights Grimes for him 3.9% betting edge but also ranks him among the top 10 most likely first basket scorers for today, as seen in the above 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 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!

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NBA News, Schedule Alerts and Updated Odds

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NBA Schedule for Today [4/5/2025]

• Timberwolves vs. 76ers (7:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Grizzlies vs. Pistons (7:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Bucks vs. Heat (8:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Mavericks vs. Clippers (10:30PM 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: April 5, 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 5, 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 and predictions for Saturday, April 5, have been made 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 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.

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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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