The WNBA playoffs are right around the corner as we continue on towards the end of the regular season. WNBA first basket props are some of the best ways to get into the 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.
Last time out was not great, I cannot lie. But again, these are high variance swings where I had a +30U week to start the season. Just have to trust the process. Here are the best first basket bets for the Friday, August 28th slate.
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Friday's Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Last Time: 0-2 | Season: 7-54 (-12.75U)
Portland Fire vs. Atlanta Dream
We start in Atlanta as the Dream host the Portland Fire. Atlanta is still trying to surpass Las Vegas in the standings, so this game does hold some weight to it. Angel Reese will be on the tip for the Dream, and she's been solid this season, winning nearly 60 percent of her tips. Megan DiLeo counters, and she hasn't been as solid, with just a 40 percent tip win rate, and it drops to only a third of tips won away from home. I expect Atlanta to get the first crack at a bucket here.
It also helps that in the last 10 games, Atlanta's offense ranks third while Atlanta's defense ranks second. Compared to Portland's defense ranking 13th in that time frame, I'm confident the Dream can capitalize. For Atlanta, there's been one player who's monopolized first shot attempts, and that's Rhyne Howard. The Atlanta star has taken eight first looks for Atlanta this year, five more than anyone else on the team. She leads the team in shot attempts per game, and I expect her to get started early. It's short odds but still relatively valuable given her dominance in the opening.
Pick: Rhyne Howard (+400 DraftKings)
Washington Mystics vs. Los Angeles Sparks
Next up we have the Washington Mystics traveling out west to take on the Los Angeles Sparks. The Mystics are still trying to move up in the standings to secure a top-three spot, so I expect them to play with a little bit more fire tonight. Shakira Austin should take the tip for Washington, and she's been solid this year, winning two-thirds of her tips. Dearica Hamby counters for Los Angeles, and she's only won a third of her tips this year, so I feel good about the Mystics winning the opening tip.
For who on the team to go with, there are a few options at the top. Austin does dominate the production when it comes to first baskets with 10 on the season. That's over half of Washington's first buckets. Of course she's going to be the chalkiest play at +300, and for me that's simply too short of odds. If you want to go there, however, I fully support it. For me, I'm going to Michaela Onyenwere. She has five first shot attempts for the team, firmly in second, and lines up well against the Sparks. LA has the 13th ranked defense on the season, and I'm happy with the value here.
Pick: Michaela Onyenwere (+870 DraftKings)
Toronto Tempo vs. Las Vegas Aces
Finally tonight we're going to get a little wild in Vegas. The tip is truly a coin flip, and when that happens, I always go down the betting board a bit to find a dart throw. Usually it would be Nyara Sabally on the tip for Toronto, but with her suspended, we have Isabelle Harrison on the tip, assuming she's healthy. Harrison is 11-2 on the tip this year, so I like going with a Toronto option even more if she's in. With NaLyssa Smith out for the rest of the year, we'll see who takes the tip, but I can't say I'm confident in whoever they have as an option.
Assuming Toronto wins the tip, I don't hate their chances of securing opening points. They have actually gotten the first point in six of their last 10 games, with an improved offense compared to their season totals. For Toronto, Laura Juskaite is down the list a bit in odds despite leading the team in first shot attempts. She is second on the team in first buckets, and with Marina Mabrey and so many others out, I'm surprised her odds aren't shorter, and I'm happy to jump on it.
Pick: Laura Juskaite (+700 FanDuel)
