WNBA First Basket Scorer Picks: Friday (5/23)
Betting on first basket scorers is a popular market for NBA games, so it stands to reason that it could be a popular one amongst those of you who enjoy betting on the WNBA. Why not, right? But how do you decide on which WNBA First Basket prop to put your money on?
That's a good question. Let's see if we can figure out an answer or two for tonight's four-game slate. Check out our WNBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for more WNBA props.
Friday’s Best WNBA First Basket Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Connecticut Sun vs. Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota scored first in just one of three games this season; Connecticut scored first in one of two. That makes it look like maybe Connecticut is a little more aggressive out of the gate, giving them a better chance to score first. Based on that, Connecticut is a decent bet. If I'm betting on them, I'm putting money on Tina Charles (+450; second-shortest odds).
Charles scored the team's first basket against Vegas. She takes the second-most shots per game (15) and made 50% of her shots.
However, through three games, the Lynx hit 49.5% of their shots and put up 65.3 per game; Connecticut put up 65 but only made 39.2%. There is a better chance that Minnesota scores first. A different player has made the first shot for Minnesota in each game. I'm betting it's a different player this time, too.
Pick: Alanna Smith (+900)
Washington Mystics vs. Las Vegas Aces
The Mystics’ offense has been active so far this season, but it has yet to score first in a game. Vegas scored first in the two games they played: A'ja Wilson versus New York and Jackie Young versus Connecticut. I'd give Brittney Sykes some consideration because the Washington offense has been playing well (86 points per game, 46.6%), while the Aces are averaging 82.5 and 36.2%.
Sykes is averaging 17.3 attempts per game and making 42.3% of her shots. But Wilson is averaging 19 shots per game and making 44.7%.
Pick: A'ja Wilson (+270)
Golden State Valkyries vs. Los Angeles Sparks
Golden State has scored first in both games this season, but the Valkyries are second-to-last in shot percentage (34.1%) and last in field goals made (23.0 per game). When these teams played in their season opener, Kayla Thornton scored first (Golden State).
Azura Stevens scored first for the Sparks.
As poorly as Golden State’s offense looks, I can't recommend one of their players. However, while you might think Kelsey Plum would be the way to go for L.A. (she is the betting favorite at +450), I'm going with Dearica Hamby. She's the third leading scorer on the team with 12 points per game, making 50% of her shots.
While she has not scored the first basket in a game, she has scored the first for the Sparks twice.
Pick: Dearica Hamby (+550)
Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm
When these teams played on May 17th, it was Alyssa Thomas who scored the first basket of the game. Nneka Ogwumike scored the first basket for Seattle. Ogwumike also recorded the first basket against Dallas on May 19th. Satou Sabally recorded the first basket against the Sparks on May 21st.
I am a fan of Ogwumike's work, but she is stuck on a relatively poor offense, and Phoenix appears to have a decent defense this year. While Phoenix is shooting fewer shots per game than anyone in the league (62.5 per game), I've got to go with them to make the first shot.
As for who, I'd consider it a toss-up between the shooter (Sabally) and Thomas down in the paint (where she hits 78.6%).
Pick(s): Satou Sabally (+500) & Alyssa Thomas (+550)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Friday: