WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Thursday (7/9)
There are three WNBA games this evening. We will be focusing on a solid mix of well-known and under-the-radar options. Here are a few WNBA first basket scorers to consider for Thursday, July 9th.
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Thursday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Seattle Storm @ Atlanta Dream
Flau'jae Johnson does not lack the confidence to shoot and appears to be becoming increasingly more comfortable as the season rolls on. The LSU alum is striking early as of late, which makes her a favorable choice to have the ball immediately in her hands in this contest.
Johnson ranks 14th in the WNBA in regards to first-quarter scoring over the last five games. The Storm guard is averaging 4.8 first-quarter points over that span, while averaging 0.8 three-pointers in the opening quarter. Seattle has a ton of size, which has resulted in winning the tip-off on the road over 72% of the time.
There are a myriad of options to explore on either team for this matchup. We feel Johnson makes for a very solid contrarian play when most will look to the frontcourt when placing first-basket picks.
Pick: Flau'jae Johnson (+850)
Las Vegas Aces @ Portland Fire
This selection represents our largest return on the evening and could be a very lucrative pivot off of the Las Vegas starting five. A'ja Wilson is set to return tonight after missing the previous three games due to a leg and ankle injury.
Wilson will be the most popular choice to score first. With that said, this wouldn't be the first game this season where Emily Engstler kicked off the scoring for Portland against Las Vegas.
The Fire forward scored the opening two points off a layup when the two teams met last. Engstler leads the Fire with three first baskets this season - two of the three games were played at home.
If you feel more comfortable taking a player on the Aces, we wouldn't fault you one bit. Engstler is absolutely a longshot tonight. However, she has proven more than capable of knocking down the first basket.
Pick: Emily Engstler (+1000)
Indiana Fever @ Phoenix Mercury
Our last selection emphasizes riding the hot hand. Kahleah Copper is averaging nearly 27.5 points in her last four games and leads the Mercury in field-goal attempts with 16.25 per game over that span. Whether it be attacking the rim or pulling up for a mid-range jumper, the Mercury guard is usually immediately called upon to get the scoring going.
Copper is averaging 5.1 points in the first quarter this season. That number has increased to 6.4 over the last four games. She is shooting 50% from the field on 4.4 attempts through the previous four first quarters. Copper has fully stepped into the role as the top scoring option for the Mercury, and is easily one of the best options to score the first bucket.
Pick: Kahleah Copper (+450)