WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Valkyries vs. Dream (Wednesday)
The WNBA Finals are in full swing with the series tied 1-1 and heading back to Atlanta. WNBA first basket props are some of the best ways to get into action as you don't have to sweat the entire game before it cashes. Of course, these are high variance, long odds similar to first touchdown in football, but that is why the odds allow for a nice payout when you get one right. Over a long sample size, the risk gets rewarded. Remember to shop around as odds vary widely across books and remember this is for first point scorer, so free throws also count.
We've gone up and down this year but trying to finish strong with a winning season. That's what happens when you bet on such long odds plays. Here are the best first basket bets for the Wednesday, October 21st slate.
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Wednesday's Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Last Time: 0-2 | Season: 9-62 (-1.15U)
Golden State Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream
The Finals are in Atlanta tonight for Game 3 and Atlanta is exactly where I'm going with the first basket choice tonight. Angel Reese will contend with Kiah Stokes on the jump and Reese is a perfect 5-0 against Stokes. Despite the Valkyries excellent defense, I'd still rather lean on what's been a perfect chance at getting the first chance at the rim with five different pieces of evidence. Rhyne Howard is the favorite for tonight with first basket odds around +450. She leads the team in first shots with 10 but with Golden State’s defense, the first baskets in this defense have gone to Allisha Gray and Angel Reese, both inside the arc.
No team has allowed fewer three-pointers this year than Golden State. They may push teams down to the last second on the shot clock for a low-percentage shot from deep but I don't think that will be an issue for a first basket attempt. Where I'm going is Allisha Gray. She's been very involved early in game with multiple first shot attempts each of the two final games so far this series and ranks second on the team in first shot attempts this season but ranks fifth in first basket odds. A mid-range jumper for Gray is how I see it going down if you want to be more specific but I'm going to keep it straightforward with the first basket for Gray.
Pick: Allisha Gray (+650 at FanDuel)