NBA First Basket Predictions for Sunday Include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Maxey [2/2/2025]

This Sunday, February 2nd, we have another big day of NBA basketball ahead of us, headlined by the Celtics' matchup against the 76ers at 6:00PM ET.

After scrutinizing Sunday's NBA simulation results early this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our data experts 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 Sunday.

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, Sunday's NBA slate is expected to showcase big names such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Maxey and Kristaps Porzingis, each with a high probability of scoring the first basket when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight? [NBA Cheat Sheet for February 2, 2025]

Thanks to simulating Sunday'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)	19.5%
Tyrese Maxey (76ers)	16.1%
Kristaps Porzingis (Celtics)	12.8%
Jaylen Brown (Celtics)	12.6%
Desmond Bane (Grizzlies)	12.1%
Damian Lillard (Bucks)	11.8%
Jayson Tatum (Celtics)	11.0%
Luke Kennard (Grizzlies)	10.0%
Kelly Oubre (76ers)	9.6%
Guerschon Yabusele (76ers)	8.9%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in any of today's games is Giannis Antetokounmpo, with a probability of 19.5%.

Following Antetokounmpo closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Tyrese Maxey at 16.1% and Kristaps Porzingis at 12.8%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Sunday, 2/2/2025]

After simulating the outcome of today's NBA matchups thousands of times each, our predictive model has found the best NBA first basket bet for you to make on Sunday.

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

Tyrese Maxey To Score First Basket

• Odds: +650
• Edge: 2.8%
• Probability: 16.1%
• Game: Celtics vs. 76ers (6:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Sunday's NBA slate in the game between the Celtics and 76ers. The bet is on Tyrese Maxey (PHI) at odds of +650 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 2.8% according to our analysis.

Our model not only showcases Maxey for him 2.8% betting edge but also ranks him among the top three most likely first basket scorers for today, as seen in the preceding 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 Sunday'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 [2/2/2025]

• Celtics vs. 76ers (6:00PM ET, Sunday)
• Grizzlies vs. Bucks (8:30PM ET, Sunday)

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

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: February 2, 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 February 2, 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 picks for Sunday, February 2, are based on 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 predictions for your personal gambling, it's important 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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