NBA First Basket Predictions for Friday Include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson [2/21/2025]

This Friday, February 21st, another exciting day of NBA action is on the cards, headlined by the Grizzlies' matchup against the Magic at 7:00PM ET.

After examining Friday's NBA simulation results early this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our data experts have revealed 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 Friday.

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, Friday's NBA games are expected to feature big names such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 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 February 21, 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
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)	19.4%
Zion Williamson (Pelicans)	17.9%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	16.1%
Stephen Curry (Warriors)	15.9%
Franz Wagner (Magic)	15.0%
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)	14.9%
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	14.4%
RJ Barrett (Raptors)	13.7%
Khris Middleton (Wizards)	13.4%
De'Aaron Fox (Spurs)	13.4%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's matchups is Giannis Antetokounmpo, with a probability of 19.4%.

Following Antetokounmpo closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Zion Williamson at 17.9% and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 16.1%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Friday, 2/21/2025]

Having simulated the result of today's NBA matchups thousands of times each, our trusted predictive analytics model has generated the best NBA first basket betting pick for Friday.

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

Cole Anthony To Score First Basket

• Odds: +1400
• Edge: 4.7%
• Probability: 11.4%
• Matchup: Grizzlies vs. Magic (7:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Friday's NBA slate in the game between the Grizzlies and Magic. The bet is on Cole Anthony (ORL) at odds of +1400 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 4.7% according to our analysis.

Although Anthony 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 searching 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 [2/21/2025]

• Grizzlies vs. Magic (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Bucks vs. Wizards (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Knicks vs. Cavaliers (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Heat vs. Raptors (7:30PM ET, Friday)
• Timberwolves vs. Rockets (9:30PM ET, Friday)
• Thunder vs. Jazz (9:30PM ET, Friday)
• Warriors vs. Kings (10:00PM 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: February 21, 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 21, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial guidelines.

All of our NBA first basket picks and predictions for Friday, February 21, are generated after thousands of 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 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

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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