WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Monday (7/6)
Monday is hardly anyone's favorite day of the week, but today is going to be one of those "good" Mondays we often hear about. Why? Because we have three WNBA games to look forward to tonight and some exciting markets to bet on, like WNBA first basket scorers. The following are my top picks for each game.
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Monday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Golden State Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics
You know that old saying that talks about going with "the hot hand?" When it comes to WNBA first basket props, it doesn't get much hotter than Washington's Shakira Austin. She has attempted the first shot in five games and made the first basket in seven, including the Mystics’ last three games.
That alone is sufficient reason to go with her to make the first basket in this game. However, her hand is not the only hot one here. To be fair, Cecilia Zandalasini's hand isn’t as scorching as Austin's, but it's still pretty hot. Now, she has yet to attempt the first shot in a game. But she has made the first basket in four games, including the last two games for the Valkyries.
This is one I’d split my stake on.
Picks: Shakira Austin (+450)/Cecilia Zandalasini (+950)
Connecticut Sun vs. Minnesota Lynx
This game is one of the more challenging ones to pick because neither team appears to come out of the gate gunning for that first basket. As good as Minnesota is on both ends of the court, you'd think the Lynx would make the first basket more often than not, but they've done so just five times this season.
Now, Connecticut isn't much better, having done so in just seven games. The Sun has done so twice in its last six games, both at the hands of Leila Lacan. Minnesota has also done so twice in its last six, including its last game. But the Lynx could be without Olivia Miles in this game.
I don't see them trying to be more aggressive against one of the league’s worst teams. The Sun will make the first basket.
Pick: Leila Lacan (+800)
Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks
Seattle doesn't have a whole lot going for it this season, but there is one thing they seem to do better than any other team in the league - make the first basket (14).
It helps that they have played more games than most, but they also have the highest percentage (63.6%). Of those 14 first baskets, Dominique Malonga has accounted for five (in 13 games). Had she not missed so much time due to an early-season concussion, she'd probably have a few more under her belt.
However, we can't overlook Los Angeles’ Nneka Ogwumike, who has made five first baskets this season in 17 games. But if you want to make just one bet, it has to be on a player from Seattle. Seattle has made the first basket in eight of their last nine games. Half of those shots were made by Malonga.
Picks: Dominique Malonga (+370)/Nneka Ogwumike (+600)