NBA First Basket Predictions Today - Thursday 5/25/23

Another exciting day of NBA Playoffs basketball is on the menu, and we've run thousands of Celtics vs. Heat Game 5 simulations to find the best NBA first basket bets for you to make on Thursday May 25, 2023.

NBA first basket props are one of the most popular options for NBA bettors to wager on, and by using Thursday's predictions below, you can gain an advantage over other bettors.

All of the best sportsbooks in the country offer odds on NBA first basket scorers, and by utilizing our state-of-the-art computer power and data, Dimers.com has been able to identify where to find the best value on Thursday 5/25.

Thursday's NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 between the Celtics and Heat is set to showcase big names such as Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, and Jaylen Brown, each with a high chance of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

Here, we will provide you with a list of players that our analytics model has identified as NBA first basket value bets for today's action, as well as the players who have the highest likelihood of scoring the first basket on May 25.

MORE: Every NBA Game Simulated 10,000 Times

Best First Basket Picks Today - Celtics vs. Heat Game 5

After simulating today's Celtics vs. Heat Game 5, our model has found the best NBA first basket betting picks for Thursday.

Max Strus To Score First Basket (+1200)

• Odds: +1200 via FanDuel Sportsbook
• Edge: 2.2%
• Probability: 9.8%
• Game: Heat vs. Celtics (8:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Thursday, which is in the game between the Heat and Celtics. The bet is on Max Strus (MIA) at odds of +1200 with FanDuel Sportsbook, and our model has found an edge of 2.2%.

The next two suggested bets are for Jimmy Butler (0.7% edge) to score first in the Heat vs. Celtics game, and Marcus Smart (0.3%) to score the first basket, also in the Heat-Celtics matchup.

Jimmy Butler To Score First Basket (+650)

• Odds: +650 via FanDuel Sportsbook
• Edge: 0.7%
• Probability: 14%
• Matchup: Heat vs. Celtics (8:30PM ET)

The next best NBA first basket bet for Thursday also comes in the Heat vs. Celtics game, where our model has found an edge of 0.7% on Jimmy Butler (MIA) at odds of +650 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Marcus Smart To Score First Basket (+1300)

• Odds: +1300 via FanDuel Sportsbook
• Edge: 0.3%
• Probability: 7.5%
• Matchup: Heat vs. Celtics (8:30PM ET)

Our next best NBA first basket bet today comes in the Heat vs. Celtics game, where our model has found an edge of 0.3% on Marcus Smart (BOS) at odds of +1300 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Today's NBA First Basket Predictions - Thursday May 25, 2023

As well as presenting the best NBA first basket bets today, Dimers.com has also determined the most likely players to score the first basket in Game 5 of Celtics vs. Heat.

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket tonight is Jayson Tatum, with a probability of 14.6%.

Additionally, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Jimmy Butler, with a 14.0% probability, and Jaylen Brown, with a 13.9% probability.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight - May 25, 2023

With Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Celtics and Heat on the slate for tonight, here is the probabiliy of each of the 10 expected starters opening the scoring.

• Jayson Tatum (BOS): 14.6% probability
• Jimmy Butler (MIA): 14.0% probability
• Jaylen Brown (BOS): 13.9% probability
• Bam Adebayo (MIA): 11.6% probability
• Max Strus (MIA): 9.8% probability
• Derrick White (BOS): 8.8% probability
• Kyle Lowry (MIA): 7.6% probability
• Marcus Smart (BOS): 7.5% probability
• Kevin Love (MIA): 7.0% probability
• Al Horford (BOS): 5.3% probability

Remember, although this list shows the players most likely to score the first basket on Thursday, it does not always mean they are suggested bets according to our predictive analytics model.

To increase your chances of winning, it's important to keep an eye on favorable odds.

MORE: NBA Props - Thursday May 25, 2023

What Is an Edge in Betting?

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 edge can increase your chances of being profitable in the long run. This is an essential aspect of a successful sports betting strategy.

Today's NBA First Basket Picks - May 25, 2023

All of Dimers' NBA first basket picks for Thursday May 25 are generated after 10,000 data-driven simulations per matchup, giving you reliable and accurate NBA predictions to help you make informed decisions.

If you use today's NBA first basket predictions for your personal gambling, it's crucial that you gamble responsibly and manage your finances effectively.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

More on NBA

If you enjoyed our NBA first basket props, you're definitely going to want to take a look at Dimers' NBA prop picks for today.

Here, we have bets for player points, rebounds, assists, 3-pointers, and more! Plus, with the ability to filter which of Thursday's NBA games you want props for, there's no lack of options when it comes to parlays and same-game parlays for today's NBA action.