Jun 13, 2026
NBA Finals player props today: Game 5's best props include Karl-Anthony Towns [6/13/2026]
Read Article NBA first basket picks and predictions for Game 5 of 2026 Finals
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get first basket predictions today backed by expert analysis of NBA slate on 6/13.
Our NBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Saturday, June 13, 2026—are live with the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama projected as the most likely player to score first in tonight's Game 5 matchup.
These projections draw on detailed first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily NBA player projections.
Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson and Stephon Castle lead Saturday’s most likely first basket scorers.
NBA Finals first basket predictions tonight (Game 5, 2026)
| Player | Team | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | Spurs | 14.2% |
| Jalen Brunson | Knicks | 13.8% |
| Stephon Castle | Spurs | 10.8% |
| OG Anunoby | Knicks | 10.0% |
| De'Aaron Fox | Spurs | 10.0% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks | 9.4% |
| Mikal Bridges | Knicks | 9.3% |
| Devin Vassell | Spurs | 7.6% |
| Josh Hart | Knicks | 7.5% |
| Julian Champagnie | Spurs | 7.4% |
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For Game 5 of the 2026 Finals on Saturday, June 13, 2026, Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson and Stephon Castle lead our first basket projections. 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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