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NBA First Basket Predictions for Friday Include Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns [5/23/2025]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Damien Souness, Chief Innovation Officer
Our expert analysis on Friday's NBA first basket market.
This Friday, May 23rd, we have another action-packed day of NBA basketball upon us, with the Pacers taking on 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 projected 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 slate is expected to feature players such as Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Pascal Siakam, 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 23, 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 |
|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson (Knicks) | 14.7% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks) | 11.8% |
| Pascal Siakam (Pacers) | 11.6% |
| Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers) | 10.8% |
| Aaron Nesmith (Pacers) | 10.1% |
| Mikal Bridges (Knicks) | 9.2% |
| Myles Turner (Pacers) | 9.2% |
| Andrew Nembhard (Pacers) | 8.3% |
| OG Anunoby (Knicks) | 7.5% |
| Josh Hart (Knicks) | 6.9% |
According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in Friday's clash is Jalen Brunson, with a probability of 14.7%.
Following Brunson closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Karl-Anthony Towns at 11.8% and Pascal Siakam at 11.6%.
Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Friday, 5/23/2025]
After simulating the result of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our leading predictive analytics model has generated 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: +1200
- Edge: 3.1%
- Probability: 10.8%
- Matchup: Pacers vs. Knicks (8:00PM ET)
Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Friday's NBA slate in the game between the Pacers and Knicks. The bet is on Tyrese Haliburton (IND) at odds of +1200 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 3.1% according to our analysis.
Our model not only highlights Haliburton for his 3.1% betting edge but also ranks him among the top five most first basket likely scorers for today's Pacers vs. Knicks game, 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 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
- 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 [5/23/2025]
- Pacers vs. Knicks (8:00PM ET, Friday)
Today's NBA First Basket Picks: May 23, 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 23, 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 Friday, May 23, are made thanks to thousands of 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 practice responsible gambling 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.
Damien Souness leverages over 15 years of experience to create engaging content focused on sports, online gaming and wagering. As Chief Innovation Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, the parent company of Dimers, he offers strategic insights and innovative solutions to enhance the player experience.
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