WNBA First Basket Props & Picks: Sunday (6/15)
The WNBA weekend wraps up with a triple-header on Father's Day: Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun, Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics, and Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces. Let's check out the latest odds for WNBA First Basket Props for these games.
Doing some research of your own is always a recommended practice. However, if you’re looking for a place to start, I've a few ideas.
Sunday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Chicago Sky at Connecticut Sun First Basket Picks
Neither team has made the first basket very often this season. Chicago has done so just three times, twice on the road (Kamilla Cardoso (2x) and once at home (Kia Nurse). Connecticut has done so just twice, once at home (Jacy Sheldon) and on the road (Olivia Nelson-Ododa).
As for each team's first basket, Ariel Atkins has done so twice for the Sky, with Kia Nurse, Elizabeth Williams, and Courtney Vandersloot doing so once. But the Sun has seen Tina Charles score the team's first basket four times, with Marina Mabrey and Bria Hartley (2x) chipping in.
Neither team is playing well; they are currently tied for last in the league with 89.3 ppg allowed. Both are shooting around 40% from the field. Chicago has been slightly more competitive than Connecticut, so I'm giving them the nod. For me, it's a toss-up between Kamilla Cardoso and Ariel Atkins.
Our Pick: Ariel Atkins (+280)
Atlanta Dream at Washington Mystics First Basket Picks
Atlanta has made the first basket in seven of ten games this season, four at home and three times on the road. Rhyne Howard and Alisha Gray have done so twice; Maya Caldwell, Brionna Jones, and Rebecca Allen made the other three. In the other three games, Brionna Jones made the team's first basket twice and Alisha Gray once.
Washington has not made the first basket in a game too often, just three times (Sonia Citron 2x, Jade Melbourne 1x). Rookie Kiki Iriafen has made the team's first basket four times, Brittney Sykes twice, and Sug Sutton once. When these two played in the season opener, Rhyne Howard made the first basket (three-pointer).
Atlanta has scored the first basket in most of their games; Washington has in just a few. So, it only makes sense to go with a player from the Dream. Rhyne Howard, Alisha Gray, and Brionna Jones take the most shots. I'm going with Howard since the number of shots she attempts gives her a greater chance of making the first basket.
Our Pick: Rhyne Howard (+550)
Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces First Basket Picks
The Mercury has made the first basket in five games this season, four of them at home. Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas each made two; Kitija Laksa made the fifth. In the other six games, Sabally and Sami Whitcomb made the first basket for the team in two. Laksa and Monique Akoa Makani have done so once.
Of the four times Vegas made the first basket, all four were on the road. A'ja Wilson did the honors twice with Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young each hitting one. Wilson has also made the team's first basket twice with Loyd, Young, and Chelsea Gray each getting one.
If A'ja Wilson was playing, I might have considered going with her, but she is nursing an injury. Since she isn't, I have to lean toward the Mercury. Whenever I've picked Sabally, someone else makes the first basket. So, this time I'm going with Alyssa Thomas. If you feel like you must go with someone from the Aces, take Jackie Young.
Our Pick: Alyssa Thomas (+700)