WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Wednesday (10/7)
The WNBA has reached the playoffs, and now we're working to finish the season strong and in the green. WNBA first basket scorers are one of the best ways to get in on the action, since you don't have to sweat the entire game.
Of course, these are high-variance bets with long odds, similar to first touchdown scorer bets in football, but that is why the odds offer a nice payout when you get one right. With a large sample size, the risk is rewarded. Remember to shop around as odds vary widely across sportsbooks. Remember, these bets are on the first point scorer, so free throws count as well.
It has been quite the up-and-down season, but that's what happens when you bet such long-odds plays. Here are the best first basket bets for Wednesday, October 6th.
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Wednesday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Last Time: 0-1 | Season: 9-60 (+3.15 units)
Las Vegas Aces vs. Golden State Valkyries
The WNBA semifinals continue with Game 2 between the Aces and the Valkyries. Golden State handled Las Vegas with a 10-point win in Game 1. Chelsea Gray cashed a three for the first points of the game, but Kayla Thornton put up the first shot after Kiah Stokes secured the opening tip.
Tonight, I'm going to back a Golden State player again. Stokes has been much better at home, and Brianna Turner taking the tip for NaLyssa Smith has been subpar, going 1-6 in her seven efforts. For tonight, I'm riding with Gabby Williams. This is what I did last time, and I'm going with her again.
Williams leads the team in first-shot attempts and is one shy of the team lead in first baskets on the Valkyries this season. She managed 25 points in the first game, had high usage and took one of the first three shots. The Valkyries are one of the harder teams to lock down for early usage rates on first-basket bets, but that just means better odds and value.
Pick: Gabby Williams (+500 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream
Our other game of the day is the Dream hosting the Liberty. Atlanta leads the series 1-0 and is a 1.5-point favorite. To open the series, Pauline Astier secured the first point after Allisha Gray missed a five-foot jumper to open the game. Jonquel Jones versus Angel Reese will compete on the tip, and both have been solid this year, with near-60% tip-off win rates.
Considering they're 2-2 against each other lifetime, you can really reason about who will secure the first bucket in this spot. I would go with Gray, but she has been ruled out. For New York, there’s a mix of options at the top, so I’m going with an Atlanta longshot. Jordan Canada ranks second on Atlanta in first-shot attempts and first buckets. She ranks fifth among all players today in first-shot attempt rate but ranks eighth/ninth in odds. The value is there despite it being a longshot pick.
Pick: Jordin Canada (+1000 at DraftKings Sportsbook)