The WNBA is back! With more teams, a shake-up of the stars, and expanded storylines we are in for a treat of a season that starts with a triple-header to kick things off. WNBA first basket props are some of the best ways to get into action as you don't have to sweat the entire game before it cashes. Of course, these are high variance, long odds similar to first touchdown in football, but that is why the odds allow for a nice payout when you get one right. Over a long sample size, the risk gets rewarded. Remember to shop around as odds vary widely across books and remember this is for first point scorer, so free throws also count.
The following are our top WNBA first basket picks and predictions for today's slate.
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Friday's Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Last Time: 0-0 | Season: 0-0 | (Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty
To kick things off today we have the title favorites hosting the Connecticut Sun. This line opened all the way up at 17.5 points and is now down to single digits at some books due to the early injuries New York is facing with Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally. Of course the Sun are missing Leila Lacan and others which isn't exactly important for first basket bets but it is an important context.
The tip will likely be Brittney Griner (6'9) vs. Jonquel Jones (6'6). Griner has the obvious height advantage but don't count out Jones ability to win on the opening tip. Chris DeMarco has taken over the reins for New York after previously working as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors. DeMarco brings the Warriors offense with him and we will likely see a Breanna Stewart elbow flash early or pick-and-pop release early in the game. It would be surprising to see the offense not flow through Stewart, especially with their injuries.
However, if Griner can control the tip, there is clear value on the Connecticut side of things. Coach Rachid Meziane has been running Griner isos during the preseason and with the youth surrounding Griner, I won't be surprised if they lean on the 35-year-old veteran early.
I'm going to stick with the value though as there has been some Griner steam, and trust the all-around better offense.
Pick: Breanna Stewart (+475)
Washington Mystics vs. Toronto Tempo
The first ever WNBA game to be played in Canada! What an exciting time it is for this league. This should be a great game with a near even spread that has gone back-and-forth. Obviously we're looking at a brand new team in their first game so we really are shooting in the dark here but there is value to be found.
The tip will likely come from Lauren Betts (6'7) and Temi Fagbenie (6'4). Nyara Sabally might also take the tip but is questionable tonight for Toronto. I give the clear advantage to Washington controlling the tip either way.
The Mystics led the WNBA in free throw attempts last year and generated a ton of scoring from inside the paint. Center Shakira Austin led the team in usage rate last year but Kiki Iriafen wasn't too far behind and her odds are more favorable here. A high percentage of her looks come from inside the arc and it's very reasonable to see entry to Iriafen early in the Mystics half-court offense. It would be more fun if Toronto gets the first Canadian bucket to fall but I'm guessing it will be a Mystic, one way or another.
Pick: Kiki Iriafen (+650)
Golden State Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm
To close out the night we have Golden State taking on Seattle in a battle out West. The Storm lost their top five scorers from a season ago so they are very much in transition under new coach Sonia Raman.
Seattle's Dominique Malonga at 6'6 will likely dominate the tip regardless of who she contends with on Golden State and from there it's anyone’s game. There is definitely a path where the offense is run through Malonga in the high-post as the first set play where the Storm should match-up well against the Valkyries in the frontcourt.
Still, for a game like this with so many new pieces in the first game of the season, I'm trying to find more value and hit on a dart throw. Flau'jae Johnson was drafted eighth overall out of LSU and I expect her to get high usage immediately. I usually don't like to depend on rookies to get the first bucket in their first ever game but anything can happen here and Johnson is a capable scorer. If third-pick Awa Fam ends up starting, her odds will likely be longer than 10/1 and that's worth a sprinkle as well.
Pick: Flau'jae Johnson (+700)
