WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Monday (6/22)
It's Monday, a new work week is underway, and the weekend is over. Don’t worry, though. The WNBA is here to brighten your day with four great matchups tonight, with lots of great betting markets to choose from, like WNBA first basket scorers.
The following are my top first basket picks for tonight's games.
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Monday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun
The Sky have been on a roll, hitting the first basket in their last four games, twice by Kamilla Cardoso and once each for Skylar Diggins and Azura Stevens. A Chicago player has recorded the first shot in 11 of their 15 games. As for the Sun, they've had some sporadic success making the first basket this season, with six scattered across their 17 games.
Five players have recorded one first basket for the Sun, with Aneesah Morrow the only one to do so twice. In their last four games, they've recorded the first basket once (Leila Lacan). If you just want to bet on one player, I'd go with Cardoso, but consider splitting your stake between her and Stevens.
Picks: Kamilla Cardoso (+500)/Azura Stevens (+750)
Toronto Tempo vs. Atlanta Dream
I don't know why Angel Reese is the favorite to score first in this game. She has yet to take the first shot in a game and has made it just once.
Rhyne Howard, on the other hand, has taken the first shot in a game three times and made the first basket three times. Marina Mabrey has also made the first basket three times (and attempted the first shot twice). Toronto has scored the first basket in the last six games, with Mabrey doing so twice in the last five, as has Julie Allemand.
These two teams look pretty even on paper these days, so either team could win. But if you want my favorite pick, it's Allemand. I love a longshot with a legit chance (Mabrey is a solid bet, too).
Picks: Rhyne Howard (+500)/Marina Mabrey (+700)/Julie Allemand (+1700)
Phoenix Mercury vs. Indiana Fever
Phoenix has made the first basket eight times compared to seven for the Fever, but neither team has done so for a while. It's been six games for Indiana and five for Phoenix. But I'm inclined to go with an Indiana player for this game because they play at a higher pace, need a win after dropping two in a row to Atlanta and are playing at home.
When it comes to the Fever, the choice is obvious. Kelsey Mitchell has attempted the first shot in a game six times and has made it three times.
Pick: Kelsey Mitchell (+650)
Dallas Wings vs. Seattle Storm
Seattle has attempted the first shot 11 times, making it 10 times. Dallas has attempted the first shot just five times, with Paige Bueckers taking four of them. She's also made the first basket in four games. Dallas taking so few shots makes me want to lean towards Seattle and Dominique Malonga, who has scored the first basket twice in the last four games.
At the same time, Bueckers has a nose for the ball like no other. Consider splitting your stake between both of them.
Picks: Dominique Malonga (+450)/Paige Bueckers (+550)