WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Saturday (8/22)
The WNBA season rolls on with a trio of great games scheduled for tonight, starting with the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty at 7 p.m. EST. Connecticut vs. Los Angeles will follow a couple of hours later at 9 p.m., and Atlanta vs. Phoenix an hour after that game at 10 p.m.
With the star power on the court, there will be lots of exciting ways to bet on each game. But, for this post, let's focus on one specific market: WNBA First Basket Props.
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Saturday’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.
Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty
- Jonquel Jones +500
- Aliyah Boston +550
- Sabrina Ionescu +650
- Kelsey Mitchell +700
In the three previous games between these two teams, Indiana has made it in two, including the last game (Aug. 11, Aliyah Boston). This season, Indiana has made the first basket in 22 games, and New York in 23. The Fever have made it in nine of their last 10 and New York in eight of their last 10.
Indiana's last five first baskets came from five different players, but Aliyah Boston leads the Fever with seven, followed by Kelsey Mitchell with six. Boston has four in Indiana's last 10 games. For New York, Jonquel Jones has two of the last three, while Sabrina Ionescu has four in the Liberty's last 10.
All four are solid bets, but if you want to go with just one, take Boston. She's had more recent success, and forwards have had more success than guards against New York.
Pick: Aliyah Boston (+550)
Connecticut Sun vs. Los Angeles Sparks
I don't feel like I can go with someone from Los Angeles since the Sparks have made the first basket in just three of their last 11 games (two by Dearica Hamby). Connecticut has had more recent success, making the first basket in eight of its last 12 games. However, six different players accounted for those eight first baskets.
Seven players have attempted 7 to 9 shots per game over the last five contests and have usage rates between 22-23%. Of those players, Aaliyah Edwards and Olivia Nelson-Ododa have the highest field goal, effective field goal, and true shooting percentages. However, Ododa has made the first basket twice in the Sun's last 12 games.
Edwards has made the first basket once (May 22 vs. Seattle).
Pick: Olivia Nelson-Ododa (+400)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Mercury
I am not comfortable picking someone from Phoenix since the Mercury have made the first basket in just four of the last 13 games. Atlanta hasn't been great at it, but the Dream have made the first basket in six of their last 13 games. Of those six, Allisha Gray had three and Jordin Canada had two. Of the first baskets made against Phoenix, guards have been responsible for the majority of them (which makes Gray and Canada viable candidates).
If you only want to go with one player, I'd lean a little towards Gray because she is a bigger part of the offense. At the same time, Canada is a great long shot pick at +1100. So, I'd split my stake between the two.
My Picks: Allisha Gray (+600) & Jordin Canada (+1100)