We are well into 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 scorers are some of the best ways to get in on the action, as 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 allow for 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 for the first point scorer, so free throws also count.
We missed a couple of first basket bets last time out, so let's bounce back today. Here are the best first basket picks for Wednesday, June 17th.
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Wednesday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Last Time: 0-2 | Season: 6-19 (+19.15 Units)
Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces
We start at the end with one of the final games of the slate between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury. The Aces have been pretty solid all year and are the better offense, but I'm leaning towards the Phoenix side here. Natasha Mack should take the tip for Phoenix, and she's dominated NaLyssa Smith her entire career in the circle.
Assuming Phoenix wins the tip, there are some interesting options here. The Mercury have only taken five total first shots in their 15 games, and they've all been inside the arc. Among their first baskets, five of the seven have come on layups.
If you're looking for value, Mack is an option just shy of +1000 among various sportsbooks. She's tallied a first basket already this season and has taken one of the first five shots. But there's no reason to take extra risks here.
Alyssa Thomas has one of the highest usage rates on the team and can take over in the paint. She has two first baskets already this year, and the Aces have allowed five of their six first baskets to forwards. Hopefully, Phoenix can score, but at the very least, they will get the first opportunity.
Pick: Alyssa Thomas (+500 at BetRivers)
Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun
Two offenses that it's tough to trust either way go toe-to-toe in Connecticut as the Sun host the Mystics. If you know me, you know how much I’ve backed Brittney Griner. It's worked one out of four times, but I'm going with someone different tonight.
Either way, I still see Connecticut getting the first look here. Griner has won six of her seven jumps this season, and while Shakira Austin has been solid on the jump, I don't expect her to match up.
Opponents against the Mystics who have scored early have almost always been guards. The way they score has been varied, but Connecticut loves the deep look. Nearly half of their first baskets have come from beyond the arc, and that's what I'm imagining will happen tonight.
Since Leila Lacan has returned to action, she's taken three of the Suns’ first shots to open the game. While she's only made one of them, the opportunity is still abundant and hard to question. At such long odds, you're getting great value.
Pick: Leila Lacan (+1020 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky
Finally, tonight, the Chicago Sky hosts the 10-4 New York Liberty. The tip here is a literal coin clip, as Jonquel Jones and Kamilla Cardoso have both been solid in the circle this year. To keep it simple, I'm sticking with the better offense.
Someone who has yet to make her mark this season, but is back in the fold, is Sabrina Ionescu. She's capable of scoring at all levels, and her first basket price is probably the best we are going to see all season. Assuming she starts, I have to imagine this line drops to +500 or so.
Chicago’s defense can limit opponents in the paint, but it's tough to stop slashers, and anyone who can get to the hoop quickly is capable of tallying the first point. I'm simply playing the value on Ionescu, but I’m also supporting someone like Marine Johannes, who is at even longer odds but has two first baskets already this season.
Pick: Sabrina Ionescu (+730 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
