NBA First Basket Predictions for Saturday Include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards [5/24/2025]

This Saturday, May 24th, it's time for an exciting day of NBA action, with the Thunder facing the Timberwolves at 8:30PM ET.

After scrutinizing Saturday's NBA simulation results early 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 Saturday'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, Saturday's NBA game is expected to feature big names such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, each with a high probability of opening the scoring when they take to the court.

Who Will Score the First Basket Tonight? [NBA Cheat Sheet for May 24, 2025]

Thanks to simulating Saturday'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)	15.0%
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)	13.9%
Julius Randle (Timberwolves)	13.3%
Jalen Williams (Thunder)	10.4%
Jaden McDaniels (Timberwolves)	10.2%
Isaiah Hartenstein (Thunder)	10.1%
Chet Holmgren (Thunder)	9.4%
Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves)	7.3%
Mike Conley (Timberwolves)	5.3%
Luguentz Dort (Thunder)	5.1%

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

Following Gilgeous-Alexander closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Anthony Edwards at 13.9% and Julius Randle at 13.3%.

Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Saturday, 5/24/2025]

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

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

Jaden McDaniels To Score First Basket

• Odds: +950
• Edge: 0.7%
• Probability: 10.2%
• Matchup: Thunder vs. Timberwolves (8:30PM ET)

Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Thunder and Timberwolves. The bet is on Jaden McDaniels (MIN) at odds of +950 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 0.7% according to our analysis.

Our model not only highlights McDaniels for his 0.7% betting edge but also ranks him among the top five most first basket likely scorers for today's Thunder vs. Timberwolves 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 Saturday'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 [5/24/2025]

• Thunder vs. Timberwolves (8:30PM ET, Saturday)

Today's NBA First Basket Picks: May 24, 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 24, 2025. Automation assists in data collection, analysis, and formatting, while human editing and quality control ensure the content meets our editorial standards.

All of Dimers' NBA first basket predictions for Saturday, May 24, have been generated 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 sports betting, 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.

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

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