Jun 5, 2026
NBA first basket picks and predictions for Game 2 of 2026 Finals
Read Article NBA first basket picks and predictions for Saturday, April 4, 2026
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get first basket predictions today backed by expert analysis of NBA slate on 4/4.
Our NBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Saturday, April 4, 2026—are live with the Pistons' Jalen Duren projected as the most likely player to score first.
Dimers’ first basket projections draw on key first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily NBA player projections.
Duren, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe lead Saturday’s most likely first basket scorers, while we also showcase tonight's top first basket value picks by comparing real-time odds to model-generated probabilities.
NBA first basket predictions tonight (April 4, 2026)
| Player | Team | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Duren | Pistons | 14.4% |
| Tyrese Maxey | 76ers | 13.0% |
| VJ Edgecombe | 76ers | 12.3% |
| Paul George | 76ers | 12.1% |
| Tobias Harris | Pistons | 10.4% |
| Daniss Jenkins | Pistons | 9.9% |
| Duncan Robinson | Pistons | 8.3% |
| Ausar Thompson | Pistons | 7.0% |
| Adem Bona | 76ers | 6.6% |
| Dominick Barlow | 76ers | 6.0% |
NBA first basket picks today (April 4, 2026)
| Player | Team | Edge | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VJ Edgecombe | 76ers | 2.3% | +900 | 12.3% |
| Daniss Jenkins | Pistons | 0.8% | +1000 | 9.9% |
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 4/4.
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For Saturday, April 4, 2026, Jalen Duren, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe lead our first basket projections, with Edgecombe shaping as the strongest value play at +900. All picks and predictions are derived from Dimers’ NBA first basket model.
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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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