WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Thursday (6/19)
There are two games throughout the WNBA this evening. The Mercury head to Brooklyn for a matchup with the Liberty in a back-to-back situation, while the Fever take on the Valkyries in the nightcap. Without any further delay, let's dive into our favorite First Basket bets for June 19.
Thursday's Best WNBA First Basket Scorer Picks
(Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty
Breanna Stewart ranks third amongst the WNBA in first quarter scoring, averaging 6.3 points, while averaging just under nine minutes. Over the last three contests, that average has increased to 7.3 points on 62.5% shooting from the field. Stewart is attempting over five shots in the first quarter in the previous three games, while on the floor for 9.3 minutes.
Phoenix has scored the first basket in their previous two contests. Having said that, the Mercury faced a lowly Connecticut Sun team, as well as the Las Vegas Aces, without A'ja Wilson. New York is a much more formidable opponent that is looking to get after it as soon as the tip goes up.
The last contest where Stewart scored the first basket was on May 27. However, the Mercury are without someone who can stop the veteran, due to size and shot making abilities. We feel the Liberty win the tip, and Stewie gets a quick two points on either an elbow jumper or via a down-low look.
Pick: Breanna Stewart (+370)
Indiana Fever at Golden State Valkyries
Golden State will be without the services of Temi Fagbenle due to FIBA commitments, leaving the Valkyries with a massive height disadvantage for this contest. It must be stated that since returning from a thigh injury, Caitlin Clark has been an absolute force in the first quarter. However, Aliyah Boston makes for a very solid option to score the first basket this evening.
The Indiana center has been quite inefficient over the previous two contests, yet could turn things around against a Golden State team who won't have much size to contend with. While the shots have not been dropping as of late, the attempts are where we would want to concern ourselves the most. Boston is tied for sixth in the league with 4.0 first quarter shot attempts since Clark's return.
Boston is second on the team in regards to shot attempts in the first quarter, trailing only Caitlin Clark by one in that category. The Valkyries will be extremely limited in size for this contest. Which should put Boston in good position to score the first basket of the game. The Fever center has scored the initial basket on two occasions already this season.
Pick: Aliyah Boston (+500)
Enjoy the games tonight, and good luck with your picks!