NBA First Basket Predictions for Monday Include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams [5/5/2025]

This Monday, May 5th, we have another action-packed day of professional hoops upon us, headlined by the Knicks' matchup against the Celtics at 7:00PM ET.

After analyzing Monday's NBA simulations early 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 projected 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 slate is expected to showcase players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Jalen Brunson, 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 May 5, 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
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	14.0%
Jalen Williams (Thunder)	13.9%
Jalen Brunson (Knicks)	13.1%
Jaylen Brown (Celtics)	12.5%
Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)	12.5%
Jayson Tatum (Celtics)	12.4%
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)	12.1%
Aaron Gordon (Nuggets)	11.3%
Jamal Murray (Nuggets)	11.1%
Mikal Bridges (Knicks)	9.4%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's games is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with a probability of 14.0%.

Following Gilgeous-Alexander closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Jalen Williams at 13.9% and Jalen Brunson at 13.1%.

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

After simulating the outcome of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our predictive model has generated the best NBA first basket betting pick for Monday.

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

Aaron Gordon To Score First Basket

• Odds: +1000
• Edge: 2.2%
• Probability: 11.3%
• Game: Nuggets vs. Thunder (9:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Nuggets and Thunder. The bet is on Aaron Gordon (DEN) at odds of +1000 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 2.2% according to our analysis.

Our model not only showcases Gordon for him 2.2% betting edge but also ranks him among the top 10 most likely first basket scorers for today, as seen in the earlier 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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• Find broadcasting and streaming options for today's NBA games

NBA Schedule for Today [5/5/2025]

• Knicks vs. Celtics (7:00PM ET, Monday)
• Nuggets vs. Thunder (9:30PM ET, Monday)

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

Tonight's NBA First Basket Picks: May 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 May 5, 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 predictions for Monday, May 5, have been made thanks to rigorous data-driven game simulations, giving you reliable and accurate NBA predictions to help you make informed decisions.

If you use today's NBA first basket predictions 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

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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