With the All-Star break looming, the WNBA does not have a busy schedule ahead for fans and bettors. But we do have four games on the docket tonight with plenty of great betting markets. In this post, we'll take a hard look at the top WNBA first basket scorers.
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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.
Las Vegas Aces vs. Toronto Tempo
This is a tough one because neither team has stood out in recent weeks. Both have made the first basket in three of their last five games with a different player scoring each time. Neither team is playing great defense lately, so I have to go with someone from the better offensive team, the Aces.
The best option is A’ja Wilson. She is arguably the best player in the league and is a threat to score every time she touches the ball. Dallas knows this, of course, and could/should defend accordingly, but they've struggled to defend the paint this season.
Pick: A'ja Wilson (+390)
New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings
I'm a little surprised that three Liberty players have the shortest odds. New York has been successful in making the first basket, but not recently. Prior to scoring first against Indiana over the weekend, they had not done so in four consecutive games. Dallas, on the other hand, has made the first basket in 16 games this season (tied for the league lead) and in six of the last eight.
In that stretch, Jessica Shephard made two first baskets in a row, and Azzi Fudd also made two. On the season, Paige Bueckers leads the team with four first baskets.
You have to go with the hotter hand, and at this time, that's Dallas. I'd call any of the above Dallas players better bets than any of the Liberty players. All three are advisable bets, but this seems like a great time to roll the dice on a longshot like Fudd.
Picks: Paige Bueckers (+600)/Jessica Shepard (+700)/Azzi Fudd (+1100)
Washington Mystics vs. Golden State Valkyries
Washington, despite all their issues on the offensive end of the court, has made the first basket in seven of its last nine games. The Mystics are tied for second in the league, having made the first basket in 15 games. Golden State has not made the first basket as often, with 12 total and in five of the last nine games.
The Valkyries made the first basket on Friday against Washington, but the Mystics made it in the previous matchup.
I feel like I have to go with Golden State here because Washington has been questionable on the offensive end all season. My expectations for them against the best defense in the league are small. As for which Valkyrie player to bet on, Cecilia Zandalasini is my top choice. She made the first basket in three of the last seven games for Golden State.
Pick: Cecilia Zandalasini (+750)
Minnesota Lynx vs. Seattle Storm
Minnesota made the first basket in two of its last four games (both by Natasha Howard) but has otherwise made it in three of the last nine and in seven total games this season.
Seattle, however, has made the first basket in 16 games (tied for the league lead) and in six of their last eight. Natisha Hiedeman and Jade Melbourne each made two of those six first baskets. They’re solid value bets today. But Dominique Malonga has made five first baskets this season (in 19 games) and will always be a good bet to score first.
Picks: Natisha Hiedeman (+1100)/Jade Melbourne (+1100)/Dominique Malonga (+350)
