NBA First Basket Predictions for Friday Include Shaedon Sharpe, Jayson Tatum [2/28/2025]

This Friday, February 28th, another action-packed day of NBA action is on the menu, headlined by the Nuggets' matchup against the Pistons at 7:00PM ET.

After going over Friday's NBA simulation results early 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 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 slate is expected to feature star players such as Shaedon Sharpe, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, 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 28, 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
Shaedon Sharpe (Trail Blazers)	14.8%
Jayson Tatum (Celtics)	14.3%
Jaylen Brown (Celtics)	14.2%
Bam Adebayo (Heat)	13.6%
Naz Reid (Timberwolves)	13.4%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	13.4%
RJ Barrett (Raptors)	13.3%
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	13.2%
Norman Powell (Clippers)	13.2%
Cam Thomas (Nets)	13.1%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in any of today's games is Shaedon Sharpe, with a probability of 14.8%.

Following Sharpe closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Jayson Tatum at 14.3% and Jaylen Brown at 14.2%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Friday, 2/28/2025]

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

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

Tyrese Haliburton To Score First Basket

• Odds: +1300
• Edge: 5.2%
• Probability: 12.3%
• Matchup: Pacers vs. Heat (8:00PM EST)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Pacers and Heat. The bet is on Tyrese Haliburton (IND) at odds of +1300 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 5.2% according to our analysis.

Although Haliburton 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 [2/28/2025]

• Nuggets vs. Pistons (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Cavaliers vs. Celtics (7:30PM ET, Friday)
• Thunder vs. Hawks (7:30PM ET, Friday)
• Pacers vs. Heat (8:00PM ET, Friday)
• Knicks vs. Grizzlies (8:00PM ET, Friday)
• Raptors vs. Bulls (8:00PM ET, Friday)
• Timberwolves vs. Jazz (9:30PM ET, Friday)
• Clippers vs. Lakers (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 28, 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 28, 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 predictions for Friday, February 28, are the result of rigorous data-driven game simulations, providing reliable and accurate NBA predictions to help you make informed decisions.

If you use today's NBA first basket picks for your personal gambling, it's important 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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