It's the last Saturday of the month, and that can only mean one thing: It's a great day for betting on WNBA first basket scorers (much like every other day, honestly). They are a great way to start the game with a solid payout. That is, if you can make the right call.
To help you along with that endeavor, here are my top WNBA first basket scorer picks for today's games.
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Saturday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Phoenix Mercury vs. Toronto Tempo
Phoenix doesn't take the first shot often (six in 19 games) or make the first basket (eight). They have failed to score the first basket in their last seven games. With Alyssa Thomas suspended, it becomes even less likely that Phoenix will score first. As for Toronto, someone from the Tempo has taken the first shot in a game nine times and made the first basket in nine games.
The Tempo have scored the first basket in seven of their last eight games, with Marina Mabrey accounting for four and Julie Allemand two.
Picks: Marina Mabrey (+450)/Julie Allemand (+1600)
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Indiana Fever
Los Angeles has taken the first shot in nine games and made the first basket in eight of them. Of those eight, Nneka Ogwumike made four, and Rae Burrell made three. However, the Sparks have only made the first basket once in their last four games and only once in eight games away from home.
An Indiana player has attempted the first shot in nine games (Kelsey Mitchell leads with six). Five players have combined to score the first basket in nine games (Kelsey Mitchell leads with four).
Of those nine first baskets, seven have occurred at home. Since the Fever are hosting today, I have to go with an Indiana player. Kelsey Mitchell is the obvious choice, since she has taken the first shot and made the first basket more than anyone else on the team.
Pick: Kelsey Mitchell (+490)
Atlanta Dream vs. Seattle Storm
Atlanta has had three players combine to take the first shot in nine games (Rhyne Howard leads with four), and four have combined to make the first basket in nine games (Rhyne Howard leads with four).
As for Seattle, six players have combined to take the first shot in 12 games (Dominique Malonga leads with three) and make the first basket in 11 games (Dominque Malonga leads with four).
Prior to their last game, Atlanta had made the first basket in four straight games, with Rhyne Howard doing so in two. Seattle also didn't make the first basket in their last game, but made it in the five prior, with Dominique Malonga accounting for three. Both players are worth considering. But if you want to take one of them, I would go with the hot hand in Malonga.
Picks: Rhyne Howard (+500)/Dominique Malonga (+440)
