WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Wednesday (5/13)
The WNBA is back! With more teams, a shake-up of the stars, and expanded storylines it's been a fun start to the season. WNBA first basket scorers 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 started off remarkably hot, hitting a +475 and +700 bet right away. I'm not sure if I'll be that consistently successful but it's great for a bankroll to start the season. The following are our top WNBA first basket picks and predictions for today's slate.
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Wednesday's Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Last Time: 2-1 | Season: 2-1 (+10.75U)
Seattle Storm vs. Toronto Tempo
We start in Toronto where the Storm head to the Coca-Cola Coliseum for the Tempo’s second-ever home game. Seattle opens as a small underdog after taking care of Connecticut to start the year while Toronto dropped a tight one to Washington in the franchise’s debut. The Tempo only put up 65 points in that opener and shot a brutal 27 percent from the field, with the offense leaning almost entirely on Marina Mabrey’s individual shot creation.
The tip should belong to Seattle. Dominique Malonga at 6’6 has a real edge over Temi Fagbenle at 6’4, and the Storm’s young center has been a focal point of new coach Sonia Raman’s offense through two games. Malonga has pulled down seven and eight rebounds respectively in her first two appearances and the Tempo frontcourt couldn’t handle the Mystics’ physicality at all in game one. There’s a strong path for a high-post entry or quick post seal to Malonga right out of the gate.
That said, I’m still going to play the home team here. Sandy Brondello loves to script that opening action for her best scorer and Mabrey is unquestionably that for Toronto. She dropped 27 in the opener while the rest of the roster combined to do almost nothing offensively. There’s added incentive for the Tempo to get their best player going early in front of their home crowd. Watch for a curl screen or pick-and-pop look to get Mabrey a clean catch in the first minute.
Pick: Marina Mabrey (+600 at FanDuel)
Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut Sun
Next up we have the defending champs heading East to take on the Sun. The Aces sit as a massive 14.5-point favorite after putting up 105 on the Sparks in their second outing. Connecticut is a young rebuilding group that has now dropped two straight and just doesn’t have the firepower to match Vegas on either end.
A’ja Wilson is the clear play of the slate. The Aces script their first half-court action for her every single game and she is coming off another monster outing where she scored 30 against LA. Brittney Griner will be in the circle for the tip at 6’9 and might win it, but even if Connecticut gets the first possession there’s no guarantee they convert, and I'd bet they don't. The Sun rank near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency and turn the ball over a ton. Wilson is going to get her early touches regardless of who wins the jump. The chalk price hurts a little but A’ja is the safest first basket bet on the board tonight by a wide margin.
Pick: A'ja Wilson (+370 at DraftKings)
Chicago Sky vs. Golden State Valkyries
Out West we have the Sky taking on the 2-0 Valkyries team that won both games by double-digits early in the year. Golden State just dismantled Phoenix 95-79 with five players in double figures, and Janelle Salaun has been on fire with consecutive 20-plus point performances. Chicago beat up on Portland in their opener as Kamilla Cardoso put up 22 points with 14 boards.
The size advantage is an easy read here. Cardoso at 6’7 is significantly taller than anything the Valkyries can throw at her in the tip circle. Golden State plays small with Salaun and Laeticia Amihere working as their frontcourt, both at 6’2. Coach Tyler Marsh got Cardoso involved early and often in the opener and that approach should carry over against a Valkyries defense that has no real answer for her in the post.
If you want a sprinkle on the value side, Salaun at longer odds makes some sense given how locked in she has been to start the year. However, I’m going right back to Cardoso as the primary play. She is going to win the tip and she will likely get the first look at the basket.
Pick: Kamilla Cardoso (+425 at DraftKings)