NBA First Basket Predictions for Thursday Include Cade Cunningham, Kawhi Leonard [5/1/2025]

This Thursday, May 1st, another big day of NBA basketball is on the cards, headlined by the Knicks' matchup against the Pistons at 7:30PM ET.

After going over Thursday's NBA simulations this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our data analysts have produced their best first basket bet of the day.

Additionally, this article reveals the NBA players our predictive analytics model has projected to have the highest probability of scoring the first basket in their respective matchups on Thursday.

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, Thursday's NBA games are expected to showcase star players such as Cade Cunningham, Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic, each with a high chance of scoring first when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight? [NBA Cheat Sheet for May 1, 2025]

Thanks to simulating Thursday'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
Cade Cunningham (Pistons)	16.6%
Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)	13.6%
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)	13.0%
Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)	12.9%
Ivica Zubac (Clippers)	12.6%
Jalen Brunson (Knicks)	12.4%
Jamal Murray (Nuggets)	12.1%
James Harden (Clippers)	10.3%
OG Anunoby (Knicks)	9.7%
Ausar Thompson (Pistons)	9.2%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across today's games is Cade Cunningham, with a probability of 16.6%.

Following Cunningham closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Kawhi Leonard at 13.6% and Nikola Jokic at 13.0%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Thursday, 5/1/2025]

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

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

Kawhi Leonard To Score First Basket

• Odds: +750
• Edge: 1.8%
• Probability: 13.6%
• Matchup: Nuggets vs. Clippers (10:00PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Thursday's NBA slate in the game between the Nuggets and Clippers. The bet is on Kawhi Leonard (LAC) at odds of +750 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 1.8% according to our analysis.

Dimers' model not only features Leonard for him 1.8% betting edge but also ranks him among the top three 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 Thursday'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!

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 [5/1/2025]

• Knicks vs. Pistons (7:30PM ET, Thursday)
• Nuggets vs. Clippers (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

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

Tonight's NBA First Basket Picks: May 1, 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 May 1, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial guidelines.

All of Dimers' NBA first basket predictions for Thursday, May 1, are based on thousands of data-driven game simulations, giving you 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 crucial that you gamble responsibly 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

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.

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