WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Monday (6/1)
Happy Monday. Don't sweat not having any NBA action to bet on, since the NBA Finals don’t start until Wednesday. Why not? Because you've got a pair of WNBA games on the schedule today, and we've got you covered with our best WNBA first basket scorers picks.
Let's get right to it. Here are my best WNBA first basket scorer picks for each game.
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Monday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Seattle Storm vs. Dallas Wings
My gut reaction for this game was to go with someone from Dallas because they have a stronger offense, better shooters and like to play at a quicker pace. I'd lean towards Paige Bueckers or Arike Ogunbowale since they take the most shots per game and have high usage rates. But then I noticed one stat that changed my mind.
While Dallas has made the first basket in four games, a Wings player has taken the first shot in a game only once. Seattle, on the other hand, has taken the first shot in six games and scored first four times.
If you want to bet on just one player, go with Flau’jae Johnson. Natisha Hiedeman is the team's leading scorer, but the Storm have struggled on offense this season.
Hiedeman is the leading scorer because no one else is stepping up more than her, not because she's the team's top scoring threat. Johnson is taking 10+ shots per game (like Hiedeman) and has attempted the first shot and made the first basket. Hiedeman has done neither.
Picks: Flau’jae Johnson (+600)/Natisha Hiedeman (+850)
Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury
Like the Seattle-Dallas game, my gut leaned one way, but I find myself going a different way. Minnesota is the better of the two teams and has its act together on both ends of the court.
Phoenix is kind of a mess, so someone from the Lynx is a better choice. It, of course, doesn't hurt that Minnesota has taken the first shot in a game four times and made the first basket in three of them (twice by Nia Coffey).
But then, I noticed someone from the Phoenix roster has taken the first shot in four games and made the first basket in five games.
For some strange reason, Jovana Nogic does not have any odds listed to score first, even though she has made the first basket in two games and has never taken the first shot. But Alyssa Thomas has also done so twice (shot and basket), and Kahleah Copper once. Copper is a shooter, which makes her a solid choice, but if you just want to bet on one player, go with Thomas.
Phoenix's field goal rate is one of the worst marks in the league (41.3%). But they also have two of the league's better rebounders in the front court in Thomas and Natasha Mack. Thomas was not the first player to attempt the first basket either time she scored first.
The Mercury don't have much going for them this season, but they are a solid bet to make the first basket.
Picks: Alyssa Thomas (+490)/Kahleah Copper (+450)