May 19, 2026
Cavaliers vs. Knicks prediction: New York to win, Donovan Mitchell projected for big game in Game 1 of ECF 2026
Read Article NBA first basket picks and predictions for Playoffs today, Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get first basket predictions today backed by expert analysis of NBA slate on 5/19.
Our NBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Tuesday, May 19, 2026—are live with the Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell projected as the most likely player to score first.
These projections derive insights from key first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily NBA player projections.
Mitchell, Jalen Brunson and Jarrett Allen lead Tuesday’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 Playoffs first basket predictions tonight (May 19, 2026)
| Player | Team | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | Cavaliers | 15.2% |
| Jalen Brunson | Knicks | 14.6% |
| Jarrett Allen | Cavaliers | 10.5% |
| OG Anunoby | Knicks | 10.1% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks | 9.8% |
| Evan Mobley | Cavaliers | 9.7% |
| Mikal Bridges | Knicks | 9.5% |
| James Harden | Cavaliers | 7.9% |
| Josh Hart | Knicks | 6.1% |
NBA first basket picks today (May 19, 2026)
| Player | Team | Edge | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikal Bridges | Knicks | 1.2% | +1100 | 9.5% |
| Donovan Mitchell | Cavaliers | 0.9% | +600 | 15.2% |
| OG Anunoby | Knicks | 0.5% | +950 | 10.1% |
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 5/19.
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For the Playoffs action on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson and Jarrett Allen lead our first basket projections, while Mikal Bridges shapes as the strongest value play at +1100. 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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