NBA First Basket Predictions for Friday Include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo [1/17/2025]

This Friday, January 17th, we have another big day of NBA basketball upon us, headlined by the Magic's matchup against the Celtics at 7:00PM ET.

After analyzing Friday's NBA simulation results early this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our team of data experts have produced their best first basket bet of the day.

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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 Friday.

Let's dive into today's NBA first basket news and updates.

NBA Players to Watch Today

Based on the most recent injury reports, Friday's NBA games are expected to feature star players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Collin Sexton, each with a high probability of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First NBA Basket Tonight? [Cheat Sheet for January 17, 2025]

Thanks to simulating Friday'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)	19.1%
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)	17.3%
Collin Sexton (Jazz)	16.4%
LaMelo Ball (Hornets)	15.4%
Zach LaVine (Bulls)	15.4%
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)	15.2%
Paolo Banchero (Magic)	15.1%
LeBron James (Lakers)	14.5%
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)	14.4%
Jalen Brunson (Knicks)	13.9%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's matchups is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with a probability of 19.1%.

Following Gilgeous-Alexander closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Giannis Antetokounmpo at 17.3% and Collin Sexton at 16.4%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Friday, 1/17/2025]

Having simulated the result of today's NBA matchups 10,000 times each, our predictive model has discovered the best NBA first basket bet for you to make on Friday.

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

RJ Barrett To Score First Basket

• Odds: +900
• Edge: 3.2%
• Probability: 13.2%
• Matchup: Raptors vs. Bucks (8:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Friday's NBA slate in the game between the Raptors and Bucks. The bet is on RJ Barrett (TOR) at odds of +900 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.2% according to our analysis.

Although Barrett doesn't feature in our model's top 10 most likely first basket scorers for Friday's NBA slate, he does present the best betting opportunity for those looking for an edge on the market.

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 Friday's data-driven NBA predictions, you can gain an advantage over everyone else.

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NBA News, Schedule Alerts and Updated Odds

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NBA Schedule for Today [1/17/2025]

• Magic vs. Celtics (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Timberwolves vs. Knicks (7:30PM ET, Friday)
• Raptors vs. Bucks (8:00PM ET, Friday)
• Nuggets vs. Heat (8:00PM ET, Friday)
• Thunder vs. Mavericks (8:30PM ET, Friday)

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

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: January 17, 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 January 17, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial standards.

All of our NBA first basket predictions for Friday, January 17, have been made thanks to thousands of 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 vital 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.

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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.

More About NBA

This article is part of our NBA player props and NBA best bets series.

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