NBA First Basket Predictions for Sunday Include Zion Williamson, Giannis Antetokounmpo [2/23/2025]

This Sunday, February 23rd, another exciting day of NBA basketball is on the menu, headlined by the Mavericks' matchup against the Warriors at 3:30PM ET.

After scrutinizing Sunday's NBA simulation results this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our team of data analysts have announced 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 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 feature big names such as Zion Williamson, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry, 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 23, 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
Zion Williamson (Pelicans)	17.7%
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)	17.3%
Stephen Curry (Warriors)	15.7%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	15.6%
Ivica Zubac (Clippers)	15.5%
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)	15.4%
De'Aaron Fox (Spurs)	15.3%
Franz Wagner (Magic)	14.6%
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	14.0%
RJ Barrett (Raptors)	14.0%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's games is Zion Williamson, with a probability of 17.7%.

Following Williamson closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Giannis Antetokounmpo at 17.3% and Stephen Curry at 15.7%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Sunday, 2/23/2025]

Having simulated the outcome of today's NBA slate thousands of times, 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.

Anthony Edwards To Score First Basket

• Odds: +750
• Edge: 3.7%
• Probability: 15.4%
• Game: Thunder vs. Timberwolves (9:30PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Thunder and Timberwolves. The bet is on Anthony Edwards (MIN) at odds of +750 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.7% according to our analysis.

Our model not only highlights Edwards for him 3.7% betting edge but also ranks him among the top 10 most likely first basket scorers for today, as seen in the above 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.

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NBA News, Schedule Alerts and Updated Odds

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• Find broadcasting and streaming options for today's NBA games

NBA Schedule for Today [2/23/2025]

• Mavericks vs. Warriors (3:30PM ET, Sunday)
• Clippers vs. Pacers (5:00PM ET, Sunday)
• Wizards vs. Magic (6:00PM ET, Sunday)
• Pistons vs. Hawks (6:00PM ET, Sunday)
• Suns vs. Raptors (6:00PM ET, Sunday)
• Thunder vs. Timberwolves (9:30PM 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 23, 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 23, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial standards.

All of Dimers' NBA first basket picks for Sunday, February 23, are the result of thousands of data-driven game simulations, providing 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 vital that you practice responsible gambling 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 on NBA

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

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