NBA First Basket Predictions for Friday Include Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson [5/16/2025]

This Friday, May 16th, it's time for an exciting day of NBA action, with the Celtics facing the Knicks at 8:00PM ET.

After going over Friday's NBA simulations early this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our team of data experts have announced their best first basket bet of the day.

Additionally, this article reveals the NBA players our predictive analytics model has determined to have the highest probability of scoring the first basket in Friday's lone game.

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 game is expected to showcase star players such as Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson and Derrick White, 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 May 16, 2025]

Thanks to simulating Friday's NBA game 10,000 times, Dimers has determined the list of players most likely to score the first basket.

Player (Team)	First Basket Probability
Jaylen Brown (Celtics)	15.0%
Jalen Brunson (Knicks)	14.7%
Derrick White (Celtics)	12.0%
Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)	11.6%
Mikal Bridges (Knicks)	9.3%
Jrue Holiday (Celtics)	8.5%
Kristaps Porzingis (Celtics)	7.8%
OG Anunoby (Knicks)	7.4%
Josh Hart (Knicks)	7.0%
Al Horford (Celtics)	6.7%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in Friday's clash is Jaylen Brown, with a probability of 15.0%.

Following Brown closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Jalen Brunson at 14.7% and Derrick White at 12.0%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Friday, 5/16/2025]

Having simulated the outcome of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our predictive model has generated the best NBA first basket bet for you to make on Friday.

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

Derrick White To Score First Basket

• Odds: +750
• Edge: 0.3%
• Probability: 12%
• Matchup: Celtics vs. Knicks (8:00PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Celtics and Knicks. The bet is on Derrick White (BOS) at odds of +750 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 0.3% according to our analysis.

Our model not only highlights White for his 0.3% betting edge but also ranks him among the top three most first basket likely scorers for today's Celtics vs. Knicks matchup, 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 Friday'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 [5/16/2025]

• Celtics vs. Knicks (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: May 16, 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 16, 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 picks and predictions for Friday, May 16, are based on thousands of data-driven game simulations, giving you reliable and accurate NBA predictions to help you make informed decisions.

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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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