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NBA First Basket Predictions for Thursday Include Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns [5/29/2025]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Our expert analysis on Thursday's NBA first basket market.
This Thursday, May 29th, we have another exciting day of NBA basketball upon us, with the Pacers facing the Knicks at 8:00PM ET.
After going over Thursday's NBA simulations early 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 determined to have the highest probability 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 game is expected to feature players such as Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Pascal Siakam, 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 29, 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 |
|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson (Knicks) | 15.0% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks) | 13.2% |
| Pascal Siakam (Pacers) | 13.0% |
| Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers) | 11.5% |
| Mikal Bridges (Knicks) | 9.7% |
| Myles Turner (Pacers) | 9.1% |
| Aaron Nesmith (Pacers) | 9.1% |
| OG Anunoby (Knicks) | 8.2% |
| Andrew Nembhard (Pacers) | 7.2% |
| Mitchell Robinson (Knicks) | 3.9% |
According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in Thursday's clash is Jalen Brunson, with a probability of 15.0%.
Following Brunson closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of cashing your first basket bets are Karl-Anthony Towns at 13.2% and Pascal Siakam at 13.0%.
Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Thursday, 5/29/2025]
After simulating the result of today's NBA matchups thousands of times each, our trusted predictive analytics model has generated the best NBA first basket bet for you to make on Thursday.
For full access to our comprehensive analysis and top picks, subscribe to Dimers Pro.
Aaron Nesmith To Score First Basket
- Odds: +1400
- Edge: 2.5%
- Probability: 9.1%
- Game: Pacers vs. Knicks (8:00PM ET)
Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for Thursday's NBA slate in the game between the Pacers and Knicks. The bet is on Aaron Nesmith (IND) at odds of +1400 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 2.5% according to our analysis.
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 [5/29/2025]
- Pacers vs. Knicks (8:00PM ET, Thursday)
Today's NBA First Basket Picks: May 29, 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 29, 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 Thursday, May 29, are made thanks to 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 predictions for sports betting, it's vital 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 on 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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