WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Thursday (6/5)
There are two games across the WNBA this evening. These contests will count repeated the Commissioner's Cup standings, which is sure to add to the excitement for the set of matchups. Without any further delay, let's dive into our favorite options to score the first basket for June 5.
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Thursday's Best WNBA First Basket Scorer Bets
(Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Liberty at Washington Mystics
The veteran out of Oregon is scorching hot as of late, posting an average of 23.3 points over the last three games. Sabrina Ionescu is scoring 8.7 points in the first quarter through the previous three contests, while shooting over 53% from the field.
Ionescu is connecting on two-of-four baskets from deep in the first quarter alone in the last three games, and has been on the floor for an average of 8.9 minutes in those contests. The New York guard owns a 31% usage rate in the first quarter over the first seven games played.
Ionescu scored the first basket, a three-point bomb, for the Liberty on May 29. New York has made the first basket in four-of-seven contests, and in three out of the last four games.
The guard for the Liberty owns a 69.2 effective field-goal percentage on the road this season, with a 133.3 offensive rating. New York most certainly is flush with options to score the first basket. However, we are siding with the hot hand, and backing Sabrina Ionescu, to kick thing off with the first bucket in this contest against Washington.
Pick: Sabrina Ionescu (+440)
Golden State Valkyries at Phoenix Mercury
Janelle Salaün is averaging 9.9 minutes on the floor over the last three road games for the Valkyries. The rookie is putting up 5.0 points over that span on 6.3 attempts, while hitting at least one-of-three baskets from beyond the arc.
Salaün has scored the first basket in the previous two out of five contests for Golden State. The forward for the Valkyries is the only player to make the first basket in a contest over the previous three games played on the road.
The Mercury are averaging 20.0 through the first quarter over their first eights games played, while allowing opponents to shoot just under 46% from the field. Phoenix is only knocking down 42% of their first quarter attempts.
This selection may seem like a long shot, however, Salaün has knocked down the initial basket for Golden State in the last two contests where the Valkyries scored first. This is a massive return, and certainly worth your consideration for the contest.
Pick: Janelle Salaün (+800)