WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Saturday (8/8)
The WNBA wants to make your Saturday afternoon a little more entertaining and a little more profitable. How so? Because the day starts off with a playoff-caliber matchup followed by one of the most exciting offenses in basketball, with a third game in the evening. What's the profitable part? Why all the betting markets, of course.
In this post, I'm going to focus on one with a relatively high risk, but also with a solid reward: WNBA First Basket props.
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Saturday's Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
(Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Las Vegas Aces vs. Minnesota Lynx
I'm surprised FanDuel has three Minnesota players listed in the top four. The Lynx have been the worst team in the WNBA this season when it comes to making the first basket in games (eight in 32 contests). Now, they did make it in their last game (Courtney Williams), but have otherwise made it in just three of the previous ten.
Vegas has made the first basket in 19 of 32 games, including their last three and seven of their last ten. They also made five in the six road games they played during that stretch. Young has made it in two of the last three games (five total this season). Gray has made it in two of the last six (four total). Wilson has made the first basket in one of the last five games (six total).
If you just want to go with one, I'd lean towards Young first and then Gray. Defenses are always going to key on Wilson, making it a little more challenging but far from impossible. However, that makes it easier on everyone else.
Picks: A'ja Wilson (+400), Jackie Young (+700) & Chelsea Gray (+1100)
Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky
Indiana and Chicago have had similar successes when it comes to First Basket props. Both teams have made it in a little over half of their games this season and in three of their last four. Cardoso can take credit for two, as can Boston. Indiana has made it in six of their last ten; Chicago in five of their last ten.
Both teams are averaging around 18 shot attempts per game in the first quarter this season, but Chicago is making 42.6% (No. 12) while Indiana averages 51.2% (second best). That had me leaning toward Boston, but then I saw Cardoso has gone 11-of-17 (64.7%) with ten rebounds in the first quarter of the last four games, all better than Boston.
Picks: Kamilla Cardoso (+400) & Aliyah Boston (+500)
Seattle Storm vs. Portland Fire
Malonga will pretty much always be my choice when Seattle is playing. She is responsible for six of Seattle's 19 first baskets (31 games), and she only played in 24! So, she's made it in 25% of her games. Her odds, which are the shortest of any player's in this game, give her a 17.54% chance. That makes this a decent value play, too.
If you really want to give someone from Portland your support, go with Ezi Magbegor (+600) or Emily Engstler (+1000). Both have made the first basket for Portland three times. But Malonga is the best bet.
Pick: Dominique Malonga (+470)