WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Sunday (6/29)
WNBA first basket props are similar to first touchdown props for NFL games - they are tough to predict. But that is why the odds allow for a nice payout when you get one right. The risk should be rewarded and often is. Today, we have five games on the schedule; five chances to bet on WNBA first basket props.
The following are our top WNBA first basket picks and predictions for each game.
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Sunday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream
Atlanta has recorded the first basket in 11 out of 16 games this season, including six out of nine in June, with Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Brionna Jones doing much of the work. Brittney Griner made the first basket in Atlanta's game versus Minnesota on Friday. New York has made the first bucket in seven out of nine games in June and in 11 out of 15 games played this season. Six different players have made the first basket in a game for the Liberty.
Rebekah Gardner did so in New York's last game against Seattle on Friday. Since Atlanta won the opening tip-off in their previous 10 games and has been playing better all-around basketball of late, we're going with one of the Dream players.
Pick: Allisha Gray (+600)
Chicago Sky vs. Los Angeles Sparks
Neither team has made the first basket in a game often this season. Chicago has done so just four times, three times by Kamilla Cardoso, who is out with an injury. Los Angeles has scored the first basket in seven games, including their last two (Azura Stevens vs. Chicago on June 24th; Rickea Jackson vs. Indiana on June 26th).
Both teams are struggling, making it difficult to determine which one is more motivated to get on the scoreboard first. However, we are going with a player from the Sparks, as Los Angeles tends to need no more than two shots to make the first bucket, whereas Chicago often needs up to four.
Pick: Dearica Hamby (+550)
Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury
After making the first basket just twice in May, the Aces have done so in seven out of 10 games in June. Phoenix has done so seven times this season out of 16 games. When these two teams played on June 15th, the Aces made the first basket (Tiffany Mitchell via free throw). Phoenix often needs a few shots before it makes the first bucket of a game, but the Aces tend to get it on their first attempt.
Because of that and since the Aces have made the first basket more often than not in June, we've got to go with someone from Las Vegas.
Pick: Jewell Loyd (+800)
Connecticut Sun vs. Minnesota Lynx
Someone has to make the first basket. So far this season, neither team in this game has shown much interest in doing so. Each has made the first basket in a game just three times. Olivia Nelson-Ododa made the first basket when these two teams played on May 23rd.
Both teams tend to start slow, but since the Lynx are one of the best and the Sun are struggling, I've got to go with someone from Minnesota.
Pick: Courtney Williams (+800)
Seattle Storm vs. Golden State Valkyries
Golden State has made the first basket in eight games this season, including five at home. Kayla Thornton had the distinction of making the first in Golden State's last game on Friday against Chicago.
Skylar Diggins made the first in Seattle's last game, her third of the season (11th for the Storm). Seattle has been more aggressive of late, winning the tip-off in nine of their last 10 games and making the first basket in seven.
Pick: Gabby Williams (+600)