Get first basket predictions today driven by expert analysis of Friday's NBA slate.
Our NBA first basket predictions for November 7, 2025, are based on Friday's latest data and matchups.
Our NBA first basket predictions for Friday, November 7, 2025, have landed—with Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks the most likely player to score the first basket according to the latest Dimers Pro simulation data.
Friday's first basket predictions pull from our proprietary NBA first basket odds and player projections, which highlight not only first basket chances, but also projected points, rebounds, assists and more for every player on today's basketball slate.
Who will score the first basket tonight? [November 7, 2025]
According to our data-driven analysis, the most likely NBA player to score the first basket across all of today's matchups is Giannis Antetokounmpo, with a probability of 18.8%.
Player (Team)
FB Probability
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
18.8%
Jaylen Brown (Celtics)
16.7%
Lauri Markkanen (Jazz)
16.6%
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
16.0%
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
15.9%
Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)
14.4%
Alex Sarr (Wizards)
14.3%
Miles Bridges (Hornets)
14.2%
Ja Morant (Grizzlies)
14.1%
Daniel Gafford (Mavericks)
13.9%
Following Antetokounmpo closely are Jaylen Brown at 16.7% and Lauri Markkanen at 16.6%.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama are among those in the top 10, with the full list of first basket projections for Friday available via today’s NBA player projections.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is among the top contenders in the NBA to score the first basket on Friday, November 7, 2025.
Best NBA first basket picks [11/7/2025]
After simulating the result of today's NBA matchups thousands of times each, our predictive model has discovered the best NBA first basket bet for you to make on Friday.
Our model has identified the best NBA first basket bet for today's NBA slate in the game between the Raptors and Hawks. The bet is on Scottie Barnes (TOR) at odds of +1300 with FanDuel Sportsbook, with an edge of 5.3% according to our analysis.
Although Barnes doesn't feature in our model's top 10 most likely first basket scorers for Friday's NBA slate, he does present the best betting opportunity for those aiming for an edge on the market.
For November 7, 2025, our NBA first basket predictions highlight standout players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown and Lauri Markkanen—all of whom are among the top projected chances to open the scoring in today’s games. But when it comes to +EV betting, it’s Scottie Barnes who emerges as the top play, offering a calculated 5.3% edge at +1300 odds.
These projections are built from 10,000 simulations, giving you a reliable foundation for smarter prop betting. Always wager with care—help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER if you or someone close to you needs support.
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.
