After a busy schedule last week, the WNBA is taking it easy on us today with just a two-game slate. Still, two games mean we have a wide variety of betting markets to choose from. For this post, we'll take a look at the top WNBA first basket scorers for each game.
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Monday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
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.
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Atlanta Dream
If you are going to go with someone from Atlanta, Howard is the best choice. She has attempted the first shot six times, connecting on four, and has a relatively high effective field goal rate (56.7%). However, Atlanta has been struggling lately, losing six of their last seven games. The last time a player from the Dream made the first basket in a game was Rhyne Howard on June 24th.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, has made the first basket more often than the Dream (11 to 9), including three of their last four games. Two of those three were courtesy of Dearica Hamby, but they are the only two she has made this season. Nneka Ogwumike made the third. It was her fifth of the season and second in the Sparks’ last 10 games.
I'm a big believer in rolling with the hot hand, so if you just want to take one player, go with Hamby. But I'd recommend splitting your stake and putting something down on Ogwumike as well.
Picks: Rhyne Howard (+490)/Nneka Ogwumike (+550)/Dearica Hamby (+700)
Phoenix Mercury vs. Minnesota Lynx
This game is a bit more challenging because there isn't an obvious player or team to target. Minnesota may be one of the best teams in the league, but the Lynx seldom attempt the first shot (six) or make the first basket (six).
But Phoenix isn't much more active. The Mercury have attempted the first shot nine times and made the first basket in eight. But most of their success was early in the season, as a Phoenix player has made the first basket just once in their last 12 contests. Your best shot is to go with someone from the Lynx.
Olivia Miles has more first-basket attempts than anyone else on the Lynx’s roster (three), but has made the first basket just once. Courtney Williams attempted the first shot twice and made the first basket once. Natasha Howard has yet to attempt the first shot, but she has made the first basket twice.
If you want to go with just one player, bet on Williams. Why? Since there is no reason to go with a single player for a longshot wager, it's a perfect time to roll with whoever has the longest odds.
Picks: Olivia Miles (+500)/Courtney Williams (+850)/Natasha Howard (+550)
