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NBA first basket picks and predictions for Saturday, March 7, 2026
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get first basket predictions today backed by expert analysis of NBA slate on 3/7.
Our NBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Saturday, March 7, 2026—are live with the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard projected as the most likely player to score first.
Dimers’ first basket projections derive insights from detailed first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily NBA player projections.
Leonard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Maxey lead Saturday’s most likely first basket scorers, while we also highlight tonight's top first basket value picks by comparing real-time odds to model-generated probabilities.
NBA first basket predictions tonight (March 7, 2026)
| Player | Team | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | Clippers | 18.4% |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | 18.3% |
| Tyrese Maxey | 76ers | 17.6% |
| Jalen Duren | Pistons | 17.5% |
| Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | 17.3% |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks | 16.7% |
| Keyonte George | Jazz | 15.8% |
| Desmond Bane | Magic | 13.4% |
| Ace Bailey | Jazz | 13.0% |
| Brandin Podziemski | Warriors | 12.6% |
| Ty Jerome | Grizzlies | 12.1% |
| Kyle Filipowski | Jazz | 11.9% |
| Paolo Banchero | Magic | 11.8% |
| Nic Claxton | Nets | 11.7% |
| CJ McCollum | Hawks | 11.4% |
NBA first basket picks today (March 7, 2026)
| Player | Team | Edge | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Maxey | 76ers | 2.2% | +550 | 17.6% |
| Ty Jerome | Grizzlies | 2.1% | +900 | 12.1% |
| Desmond Bane | Magic | 1.7% | +750 | 13.5% |
| Al Horford | Warriors | 1.4% | +1000 | 10.5% |
| Kawhi Leonard | Clippers | 0.8% | +470 | 18.4% |
| Jaylen Wells | Grizzlies | 0.8% | +1000 | 9.9% |
| Gui Santos | Warriors | 0.8% | +850 | 11.3% |
| Ryan Rollins | Bucks | 0.4% | +850 | 11.0% |
| Keyonte George | Jazz | 0.4% | +550 | 15.8% |
| Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | 0.4% | +490 | 17.3% |
| Olivier-Maxence Prosper | Grizzlies | 0.3% | +1000 | 9.4% |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks | 0.0% | +500 | 16.7% |
Edges represent the difference between model probability and implied odds.
For more insights on prop markets and value plays across the league, explore our full list of NBA prop bets for 3/7.
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For Saturday, March 7, 2026, Kawhi Leonard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Maxey lead our first basket projections, with Maxey shaping as the strongest value play at +550. All picks and predictions are derived from Dimers’ NBA first basket model.
For tips and resources on responsible wagering, visit our Responsible Gambling section.
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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