NBA First Basket Predictions Today - Wednesday 5/17/23

We have another exciting day of NBA Playoffs ahead of us, and we've run thousands of Celtics vs. Heat Game 1 simulations to find the best NBA first basket picks for you on Wednesday May 17, 2023.

NBA first basket props are one of the more popular options for sports fans to bet on, and by using Wednesday's projections below, you can gain an edge over everyone else.

The top online sportsbooks offer odds on NBA first basket scorers, and by utilizing our state-of-the-art machine learning and data, Dimers.com has been able to identify where the best value lies on Wednesday 5/17.

Wednesday's NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 between the Celtics and Heat is set to feature players such as Jimmy Butler, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum, 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 predictive analytics model has identified as NBA first basket value bets for today's action, as well as the players who are most likely to score the first basket on May 17.

MORE: Every NBA Game Simulated 10,000 Times

Best First Basket Picks Tonight - Celtics vs. Heat Game 1

After simulating today's Celtics vs. Heat Game 1, our independent predictive analytics model, DimersBOT, has found the best NBA first basket betting picks for Wednesday.

Marcus Smart To Score First Basket (+1400)

• Odds: +1400 via FanDuel Sportsbook
• Edge: 2.5%
• Probability: 9.2%
• Matchup: Heat vs. Celtics (8:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today, which is in the game between the Heat and Celtics. The bet is on Marcus Smart (BOS) at odds of +1400 with FanDuel Sportsbook, and our model has found an edge of 2.5%.

The next two recommended bets are for Jimmy Butler (0.7% edge) to score first in the Heat vs. Celtics game, and Kevin Love (0.0%) to score the first basket, also in the Heat-Celtics matchup.

Jimmy Butler To Score First Basket (+550)

• Odds: +550 via FanDuel Sportsbook
• Edge: 0.7%
• Probability: 16.1%
• Matchup: Heat vs. Celtics (8:30PM ET)

The next best NBA first basket bet for today 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 +550 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Kevin Love To Score First Basket (+1600)

• Odds: +1600 via FanDuel Sportsbook
• Edge: 0.0%
• Probability: 5.9%
• Game: 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 0.0% on Kevin Love (MIA) at odds of +1600 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Today's NBA First Basket Predictions - Wednesday May 17, 2023

In addition to providing you with the best NBA first basket bets today, Dimers.com has also found the most likely players to score the first basket in Game 1 of Celtics vs. Heat.

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket tonight is Jimmy Butler, with a probability of 16.1%.

Additionally, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Jaylen Brown, with a 15.3% probability, and Jayson Tatum, with a 14.1% probability.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight - May 17, 2023

With Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Celtics and Heat on the slate for tonight, DimersBOT has provided the probabiliy of each of the 10 expected starters scoring the first basket.

• Jimmy Butler (MIA): 16.1% probability
• Jaylen Brown (BOS): 15.3% probability
• Jayson Tatum (BOS): 14.1% probability
• Bam Adebayo (MIA): 11.8% probability
• Marcus Smart (BOS): 9.2% probability
• Gabe Vincent (MIA): 8.2% probability
• Max Strus (MIA): 8.1% probability
• Robert Williams (BOS): 7.0% probability
• Kevin Love (MIA): 5.9% probability
• Al Horford (BOS): 4.5% probability

Keep in mind that this list only shows the players most likely to score the first basket on Wednesday, which does not necessarily mean that our model, DimersBOT, recommends betting on them.

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

MORE: NBA Props - Wednesday May 17, 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 17, 2023

All of Dimers' NBA first basket predictions for Wednesday May 17 are generated thanks to 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 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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