We are officially in full swing with the WNBA season, and it's shaping up to be a fun one with the expansion of teams and arguably the most talent the league has ever seen. 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 the first point scorer, so free throws also count.
We missed a couple of first basket bets last time, so let's bounce back today. Here are the best first basket bets for the Wednesday, June 11th slate.
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Wednesday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Last Time: 0-2 | Season: 6-15 (+23.15U)
Connecticut Sun vs. Toronto Tempo
We start north of the border as the 6-5 Toronto Tempo host the 2-11 Connecticut Sun. It seems that I always end up previewing the Sun for these first bucket articles, so you may know what direction I'm heading in, but still, it's not like the strategy has let me down much yet.
Of course, Brittney Griner should jump for Connecticut, and she's won five of her six jumps this year. Especially considering Nyara Sabally on the other end has just won one of eight jump balls this year, I'd be shocked if Griner doesn't take this one down, giving Connecticut the first chance at a bucket. Playing on the road as the worst offense in the league means they are probably not as likely to score right away, but that's exactly why you're getting value on the Sun players. Especially considering the Tempo defense ranks fourth worst in the league with double-digit games played, and I'm fine picking from the options on the away team.
I've gone chalk before, and I'll do it again. When opponents score the first basket against the Tempo, over half the time, it has come in the paint on a layup. With no Aneesah Morrow in this one, who else but Brittney Griner to tally another first point in this matchup?
Pick: Brittney Griner (+400 DraftKings)
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Seattle Storm
The other game we have is out west with the Sparks heading to Seattle to take on the Storm. This tip should be between Dearica Hamby (Los Angeles) and Stefanie Dolson (Seattle). Neither has been great on the tip, but the easy lean here is the first bucket coming from the Sparks side as they have a much better offense, and in the one tip-off these two had against each other in the past, Hamby won.
I made this point last time, and I'll make it again because Nneka Ogwumike has three of the five first buckets for Los Angeles this year. Of course, you have injuries and roster shakeups, but that's still pretty promising. Especially for Ogwumike, who can score at all three levels, the opportunity and the usage is there for her. She's shot 46 percent from deep on the year but is capable in the paint as well. Shop around here because I'm sure you can find longer odds, but this far down the board, I can't pass up on it.
Pick: Nneka Ogwumike (+720 DraftKings)
