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NBA First Basket Predictions for Thursday Include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Julius Randle [5/22/2025]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Our expert analysis on Thursday's NBA first basket market.
This Thursday, May 22nd, another exciting day of NBA basketball is on the menu, with the Timberwolves facing the Thunder at 8:30PM ET.
After reviewing Thursday's NBA simulation results this morning (see Dimers Pro for full access), our team of data analysts have revealed 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 Thursday'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, Thursday's NBA slate is expected to feature players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards, 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 May 22, 2025]
Thanks to simulating Thursday'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 |
|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) | 15.1% |
| Julius Randle (Timberwolves) | 14.3% |
| Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves) | 13.8% |
| Jalen Williams (Thunder) | 10.3% |
| Isaiah Hartenstein (Thunder) | 10.1% |
| Chet Holmgren (Thunder) | 9.6% |
| Jaden McDaniels (Timberwolves) | 9.3% |
| Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves) | 7.4% |
| Mike Conley (Timberwolves) | 5.2% |
| Luguentz Dort (Thunder) | 4.8% |
According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in Thursday's clash is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with a probability of 15.1%.
Following Gilgeous-Alexander closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Julius Randle at 14.3% and Anthony Edwards at 13.8%.
Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Thursday, 5/22/2025]
After simulating the result of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our leading predictive analytics model has discovered the best NBA first basket betting pick for Thursday.
For full access to our comprehensive analysis and top picks, subscribe to Dimers Pro.
Anthony Edwards To Score First Basket
- Odds: +700
- Edge: 1.3%
- Probability: 13.8%
- Matchup: Timberwolves vs. Thunder (8:30PM ET)
Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Timberwolves and Thunder. The bet is on Anthony Edwards (MIN) at odds of +700 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 1.3% according to our analysis.
Our model not only highlights Edwards for his 1.3% betting edge but also ranks him among the top three most first basket likely scorers for today's Timberwolves vs. Thunder matchup, 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
- Read the latest news alerts from the official NBA feed
- Check updated NBA odds
- Find broadcasting and streaming options for today's NBA games
NBA Schedule for Today [5/22/2025]
- Timberwolves vs. Thunder (8:30PM ET, Thursday)
Today's NBA First Basket Picks: May 22, 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 22, 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 Thursday, May 22, 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 sports betting, it's important 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 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.
Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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