We are officially in full swing of the WNBA season with the All-Star break on the horizon. WNBA first basket scorers are some of the best ways to get in on the action, as you don't have to sweat the entire game.
Of course, these are high-variance bets with long odds similar to first touchdown scorer bets in football, but that is why the odds allow for a nice payout when you get one right. With a large sample size, the risk is rewarded. Remember to shop around as odds vary widely across sportsbooks. Remember, these bets are for the first point scorer, so free throws count as well.
We've gone a bit cold over the last couple of weeks, but that's OK. It's a good time to bounce back. Here are the best WNBA first basket bets for Friday, July 10th.
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Friday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Follow along and make sure to check out our WNBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today's best prop bets.
Last Time: 0-2 | Season: 6-32 (+6.15 units)
Dallas Wings vs. Toronto Tempo
Starting with our neighbors to the north, the Toronto Tempo hosts the Dallas Wings as the Wings look to stay hot with their fourth straight win. Dallas is a 6.5-point favorite with a total around 178.5 points.
If you remember my article last time out, you know how much I'm fading Toronto at the tip. Nyara Sabally is questionable tonight, but she should take the tip for Toronto, assuming she plays. Either way, I still like Dallas early in this one.
The Wings have cashed a first-basket ticket in 15 of their 22 games so far this season and eight out of 13 on the road. Of course, Paige Bueckers is one of the favorites here, and rightfully so; she's made four of the Wings' first buckets and leads the team in first-shot attempts.
But we saw these two match up earlier this week, when Arike Ogunbowale had the first shot attempt for Dallas before Azzi Fudd connected on the first basket. Considering Ogunbowale is second on the team in first-shot attempts, it's hard to pass up on the value here.
Pick: Arike Ogunbowale (+1000 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Chicago Sky vs. Los Angeles Sparks
In the one game today where I am most confident about who will actually be on the court to start, we arguably have the biggest crapshoot for first-bucket options. Kamilla Cardoso and Dearica Hamby should go toe-to-toe in the box to open the game, where both have been solid but not spectacular, winning just over half their tips on the season.
The splits are also interesting: Chicago has the better overall offense, but on the road, they drop to 13th. Coincidentally, the Sparks’ home offense ranks 13th as well. Neither team really sparks confidence here, pun intended. Still, with a setup like this, it's good to pick a team and go with it. That team will be the Sparks, and the selection is Nneka Ogwumike.
Los Angeles is better at recording the first basket on their home court, and Ogwumike has accounted for over half of the team's first buckets, leading in first-shot attempts as well. Assuming L.A. secures the tip, there's a 50/50 chance it goes to Ogwumike for a look. At these odds, that's a steal.
Pick: Nneka Ogwumike (+625 at BetRivers)
