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NBA first basket picks and predictions for NBA Cup Final, 2025
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get first basket predictions today backed by expert analysis of NBA slate on 12/16.
Our NBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Tuesday, December 16, 2025—are live with the Spurs' De'Aaron Fox projected as the most likely player to score first in tonight's Vegas action.
These projections draw on key first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily NBA player projections.
Fox, Jalen Brunson and Devin Vassell lead Tuesday’s most likely first basket scorers.
NBA first basket predictions tonight (December 16, 2025)
| Player | Team | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| De'Aaron Fox | Spurs | 14.2% |
| Jalen Brunson | Knicks | 13.2% |
| Devin Vassell | Spurs | 11.6% |
| Stephon Castle | Spurs | 11.0% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks | 10.8% |
| Mikal Bridges | Knicks | 9.3% |
| OG Anunoby | Knicks | 8.9% |
| Harrison Barnes | Spurs | 8.7% |
| Josh Hart | Knicks | 7.7% |
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For Tuesday, December 16, 2025, De'Aaron Fox, Jalen Brunson and Devin Vassell 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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