NBA First Basket Predictions for Sunday Include Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander [5/18/2025]

This Sunday, May 18th, it's time for an exciting day of NBA action, with the Nuggets facing the Thunder at 3:30PM ET.

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

Additionally, this article reveals the NBA players our predictive analytics model has identified as having the greatest chance of scoring the first basket in Sunday'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, Sunday's NBA slate is expected to feature players such as Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray, 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 18, 2025]

Thanks to simulating Sunday'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
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)	14.6%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)	14.5%
Jamal Murray (Nuggets)	11.7%
Jalen Williams (Thunder)	10.9%
Chet Holmgren (Thunder)	9.8%
Isaiah Hartenstein (Thunder)	9.5%
Christian Braun (Nuggets)	7.5%
Luguentz Dort (Thunder)	5.3%

According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in Sunday's clash is Nikola Jokic, with a probability of 14.6%.

Following Jokic closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 14.5% and Jamal Murray at 11.7%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Sunday, 5/18/2025]

Having simulated the outcome of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our predictive model has found the best NBA first basket betting pick for Sunday.

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

Nikola Jokic To Score First Basket

• Odds: +600
• Edge: 0.3%
• Probability: 14.6%
• Game: Nuggets vs. Thunder (3:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Nuggets and Thunder. The bet is on Nikola Jokic (DEN) at odds of +600 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 0.3% according to our analysis.

Our model not only highlights Jokic for his 0.3% betting edge but also ranks him as the number one most likely first basket scorer for today's Nuggets vs. Thunder matchup, as seen in the earlier 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.

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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NBA Schedule for Today [5/18/2025]

• Nuggets vs. Thunder (3:30PM ET, Sunday)

Tonight's NBA First Basket Picks: May 18, 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 18, 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 for Sunday, May 18, are generated after rigorous data-driven game simulations, providing reliable and accurate NBA predictions to help you make informed decisions.

If you plan to use today's NBA first basket picks for your personal gambling, it's vital 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.

More About NBA

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

For more NBA betting content, we have NBA trends for every game, as well as daily NBA betting news and the latest NBA title odds and predictions.