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NBA First Basket Predictions for Saturday Include Kawhi Leonard, Nikola Jokic [5/3/2025]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Our expert analysis on Saturday's NBA first basket market.
This Saturday, May 3rd, another big day of NBA basketball is on the cards, with the Clippers taking on the Nuggets at 7:30PM ET.
After evaluating Saturday's NBA simulations 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 identified as having the greatest chance 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 showcase big names such as Kawhi Leonard, Nikola Jokic and Ivica Zubac, 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 3, 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 |
|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) | 13.7% |
| Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) | 13.1% |
| Ivica Zubac (Clippers) | 11.9% |
| Jamal Murray (Nuggets) | 11.5% |
| James Harden (Clippers) | 10.1% |
| Aaron Gordon (Nuggets) | 10.0% |
| Norman Powell (Clippers) | 8.7% |
| Christian Braun (Nuggets) | 8.2% |
| ClippersNuggets |
According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket in Saturday's clash is Kawhi Leonard, with a probability of 13.7%.
Following Leonard closely, the players with the next highest likelihood of scoring the first basket today are Nikola Jokic at 13.1% and Ivica Zubac at 11.9%.
Dimers Pro Pick of the Day: NBA First Basket [Saturday, 5/3/2025]
After simulating the result of today's NBA slate thousands of times, our predictive model has generated the best NBA first basket betting pick for Saturday.
For full access to our comprehensive analysis and top picks, subscribe to Dimers Pro.
Kawhi Leonard To Score First Basket
- Odds: +950
- Edge: 4.2%
- Probability: 13.7%
- Matchup: Clippers vs. Nuggets (7:30PM ET)
Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Clippers and Nuggets. The bet is on Kawhi Leonard (LAC) at odds of +950 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 4.2% according to our analysis.
Our model not only highlights Leonard for his 4.2% betting edge but also ranks him as the number one most likely first basket scorer for today's Clippers vs. Nuggets 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 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
- 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 [5/3/2025]
- Clippers vs. Nuggets (7:30PM ET, Saturday)
Today's NBA First Basket Picks: May 3, 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 3, 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 Saturday, May 3, are generated thanks to rigorous data-driven game simulations, providing reliable and accurate NBA predictions to help you make informed decisions.
If you use today's NBA first basket predictions for sports betting, it's crucial 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
The "edge" at Dimers is when we think the probability of an event occurring is more likely than the best odds available. Essentially, it means that Dimers believes a bet has a better chance of winning than the sportsbooks do. That's why the higher the edge, the better.
Although it does not guarantee a win, taking picks with a higher betting edge can increase your chances of being profitable in the long run. This is an essential aspect of a successful sports betting strategy.
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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